Referee delivers swift ‘clear view’ judgment to Liverpool amid VAR backlash in Nottingham Forest clash.
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean has clarified why Nottingham Forest’s opening goal against Liverpool was correctly allowed to stand. Despite Liverpool dominating the first half, Arne Slot’s team fell behind when Murillo found the net.
Some felt Dan Ndoye was offside and interfering with play, but Dean insisted the goal was legitimate.
Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “Unlike the situation the other week with Virgil van Dijk’s disallowed goal against Manchester City, this one is a clear goal. The ball travels around the attacker on the right-hand side, and the goalkeeper has an unobstructed view.”
The Premier League Match Centre echoed this verdict on X, stating:
“#LIVNFO – 33’ The referee’s on-field decision of goal was checked and confirmed by VAR, who determined that Ndoye was not blocking Alisson’s line of sight and made no action that interfered with an opponent.”
Forest briefly believed they had doubled their lead through Igor Jesus, but this time VAR overturned the decision, ruling the goal out. Dean disagreed with that call.
“To overturn a decision it must be clear and obvious, and there’s nothing to show that here. It feels harsh to me, but ultimately I have to support the referee’s original call,” he said.
Following the confusion, the Premier League issued another update:
“#LIVNFO – 35’ The referee’s decision of no goal was checked and confirmed by VAR – it was deemed Jesus inadvertently handled the ball before scoring.”
Michael Dawson agreed that Jesus’ effort should have stood, while Ashley Williams and Martin Keown were puzzled by the handball ruling.
Keown said: “It looks like the ball hits Jesus on the ribcage. VAR must have spotted something we haven’t because I can’t see a hand.”
Williams added: “From the angles I’ve seen, there’s nothing showing it touches his arm. It hits him between the chest and stomach. That should be a goal.”
The defeat raises further concerns for Slot after a difficult spell. Before the November international break, Liverpool were beaten by Manchester City, and issues remained despite wins and clean sheets against Real Madrid and Aston Villa.
This season’s Premier League champions have already suffered losses to Crystal Palace (twice), Brentford, Chelsea, Galatasaray and Manchester United.
Injuries have added to the problems, with Conor Bradley and Florian Wirtz the latest casualties. Alexander Isak has returned but did not start against Forest.
Alisson was back in goal after two months out with a hamstring injury, but he could do little to prevent Murillo’s emphatic finish.
