The match between Manchester City and Liverpool on October 29, 2023, was marked by two significant incidents involving the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) that sparked considerable debate. In the first half, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk had a potential equalizing goal disallowed due to an offside call, while a penalty was awarded to Manchester City following a challenge on Jérémy Doku by Liverpool’s goalkeeper, Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Controversial Offside Call on Van Dijk’s Goal
In the 38th minute of the match, Van Dijk scored with a header from a corner taken by Mohamed Salah. However, the goal was disallowed after assistant referee Stuart Burt ruled that teammate Andrew Robertson was in an offside position and interfered with City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma‘s view. The decision was confirmed by VAR official Michael Oliver, who upheld the on-field call.
The VAR review centered on the notion that Robertson’s position impacted Donnarumma’s ability to save the ball. Although Robertson was clearly offside, the assessment of whether he interfered with the goalkeeper’s line of sight involved subjective judgment. Oliver needed to determine if there was a clear error by the on-field refereeing team to recommend an on-field review (OFR).
According to former Select Group referee Andy Davies, who has extensive experience with VAR protocols, the ruling out of Van Dijk’s goal was a credible decision given the circumstances. He noted that discussions about the impact of Robertson’s presence would likely continue among fans and analysts alike.
Penalty Awarded for Mamardashvili’s Challenge
Just nine minutes into the match, another critical moment arose when Doku appeared to be fouled by Mamardashvili as the goalkeeper rushed out to challenge him. Mamardashvili mistimed his challenge, sliding into Doku’s foot and causing the forward to lose his balance and fall. Initially, referee Chris Kavanagh did not award a penalty, allowing play to proceed.
After reviewing the incident, Oliver recommended an OFR for a potential penalty. Following multiple replays, Kavanagh concurred with Oliver’s assessment and awarded a penalty kick to Manchester City. The decision was based on the conclusion that Mamardashvili’s contact, although minimal, significantly affected Doku’s ability to maintain his balance and possibly take a shot at goal.
This intervention by VAR proved to be effective, as Kavanagh later confirmed that identifying such subtle contact in real-time can be challenging for referees. The penalty awarded to Manchester City was a key moment in the match, reflecting the importance of VAR in ensuring that crucial decisions are made accurately.
The incidents illustrate the ongoing debates surrounding VAR’s role in football. While some argue that it enhances the fairness of the game, others remain critical of its subjective elements. As the Premier League continues to integrate VAR into its matches, discussions around its effectiveness and consistency are likely to persist.
