23 hours ago
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Wayne Rooney has waded into the debate surrounding Liverpool’s latest VAR controversy.
Liverpool suffered defeat to Sean Dyche’s side at Anfield just 13 days after their 3-0 defeat to Manchester City. In that match, Virgil van Dijk had a header ruled out because Andy Robertson was deemed to be obstructing the goalkeeper from an offside position.
A near-identical situation unfolded in the first half on Saturday—only this time Liverpool were defending.
Murillo fired the ball into the net, while Dan Ndoye stood offside near Alisson. Despite the clear parallels between the two incidents, referee Andy Madley and VAR James Bell allowed Murillo’s goal to stand.
The Reds did benefit from a VAR intervention before the break, with Igor Jesus’ goal ruled out for handball. Explaining the decision to disallow Jesus' goal, the Premier League's Match Centre posted on X: "The referee’s call of no goal was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that Jesus accidentally handled the ball before scoring."
On the controversy, Rooney said: I think both goals should have stood. I thought the disallowed one came off his chest and should have stood."
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, the former United striker added: "Forest were outstanding defensively. They were really organised and putting their bodies on the line, we know that's what you get from a Sean Dyche team. Then they were effective on the break as well and caused Liverpool problems.
"Early on Liverpool had a few good chances and Anderson got a couple of excellent blocks in, but once Forest got the first goal then they looked like they didn't have any answers. Forest looked comfortable."
Former Premier League defender Ashley Williams told Final Score: "I'm seeing two angles of the goal, and on neither angle can I see where it touches the arm at all. It hits Jesus between the chest and the stomach. That goal should stand."
Martin Keown added: "It looks like the ball came up and hit Jesus on his ribcage. Surely VAR have seen something to chalk it off. I can't see the hand."
And former goalkeeper Paul Robinson said: "You couldn't see the freeze of where it struck Igor Jesus' arm, but it looked like it hit him on the sleeve."
Former referee Mike Dean also believed the officials got the call wrong. Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: "To overturn, it has to be clear and obvious. and there is no evidence to say otherwise. I think it is harsh. I have to back the decision on-field."
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