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Liverpool head coach Arne Slot believes it's "obvious" that the officials made the "wrong decision" when disallowing Virgil van Dijk's goal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Manchester City dominated Liverpool and won 3-0 at home, but it was a game filled with controversy. City was awarded a penalty in the first half following a VAR intervention, though Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgio Mamardashvili saved the resulting spot kick.
Liverpool was then denied a goal as Van Dijk scored a header after 39 minutes, but the officials claimed that defender Andy Robertson was in an offside position. Slot claimed after the game that it was the incorrect call, and made his feelings clear.
"I think it's obvious and clear that the wrong decision was made on the disallowed goal," Slot said. It was a pivotal moment in the game, and Liverpool struggled to get going after seeing Van Dijk's header ruled out.
After missing a penalty in the first half, Erling Haaland headed City in front with his 14th goal of the season. Van Dijk initially equalized for Liverpool, which could have changed the game just before halftime.
To make matters worse, City scored minutes after Liverpool's goal was ruled out, as Nico Gonzalez fired just before the break. Jeremy Doku put the game beyond doubt in the second half with a curling strike from outside the area.
When Van Dijk's goal was ruled out, the Liverpool captain protested and even sarcastically clapped referee Chris Kavanagh. However, after the defeat, Van Dijk didn't feel it was necessary to discuss the past.
"In football, the officials are deciding the key decisions and we have to deal with it on the pitch," he told Sky Sports. "There is no point discussing this from my point of view.
"The reality is that we lost 3-0, and that is a big blow. It doesn't matter what I say [about the goal] because anything I say will be in the media, and the whole international break will be about my comment on the decision.
"I just focus on the fact we lost. You guys can debate if it should have stood. The first half was difficult and they were much more comfortable on the ball and it was difficult for our guys to put pressure on them.
"I don't think there was a lot of danger, but Doku had a good game and it was difficult for Conor [Bradley] in the one on one at times. I don't think we were much in trouble but we could have done better.
"We had to dig deep in the second half. We got more momentum in possession but out pressing wasn't good enough.
"It's about finding consistency and carrying on. Now we go to our countries, stay fit and be ready for a big run after. We are not going to give up whatsoever. We are in November and we are ready for a long season and a big fight."
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