THE PREMIER LEAGUE’S expert panel has ruled that Virgil van Dijk should NOT have been flagged offside when he scored his disallowed “equaliser” in Liverpool’s defeat at Manchester City.
But the panel of former players, coaches and refs BACKED Michael Oliver’s call not to intervene.
Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk’s equaliser against Manchester City was chalked offCredit: Getty Images
It was deemed that Liverpool’s Andy Robertson interfered from an offside position, even though he duckedCredit: Getty Images
PGMOL boss Howard Webb argued on Tuesday that Oliver’s decision to stick with the when he ducked under van Dijk’s header past Gianluigi Donnarumma was “not unreasonable”.
And while the Prem’s Key Match Incident panel – which looks at all major decisions – came to a conclusion that assistant Stuart Burt had wrongly raised his flag, the error did NOT meet the threshold for a VAR intervention.
Liverpool had about the first-half decision, with l.
Burt raised his flag as headed off in celebration, arguing that Robertson, standing close to Donnarumma, had impeded the keeper by his action.
Recordings played out on the Match Officials Mic’d Up review show the assistant’s instant view was that an offence had been committed.
As the ball went in, Burt told referee Chris Kavanagh on the officials’ communications system: “, Robertson, Robertson.
“Robertson’s in line of vision, right in front of the keeper.
“He’s ducked under the ball. He’s very close to him. I think he’s line of vision. I think he’s been impacted, mate.”
VAR Oliver and his assistant in the Stockley Park booth swiftly confirmed the call, agreeing it was a “clear, an obvious action that clearly impacts on the goalkeeper”.
But the panel is understood to have come to a conclusion – it is unknown if that was the unanimous view of the five members or a majority vote – that the goal was incorrectly chalked off on the field of play.
However, the error was not sufficient for Oliver to intervene as it was a subjective call that was not “clearly and obviously wrong”.
Nevertheless, the findings of the panel will only add to ’s frustrations – with Slot certain to be asked for his reaction ahead of the resumption of Prem games next weekend.
The Premier League’s expert panel ruled Liverpool’s goal should have stood but backed VAR for not interveningCredit: Nick Potts/PA Wire 
