That disallowed goal by VAR has extracted the noise out of the City fans, who are ordering more aggression and intention from their team. The fast, powerful feet of Marmoush looks like their most likely chance of a goal

That disallowed goal by VAR has extracted the noise out of the City fans, who are ordering more aggression and intention from their team. The fast, powerful feet of Marmoush looks like their most likely chance of a goal

Football has always been a game of fine margins, where the slightest mistake or the smallest technicality can change the course of history. The Premier League witnessed yet another controversial moment as a disallowed goal in the high-stakes clash between Manchester City and Liverpool sent shockwaves through the football world. The decision, which left City fans furious and Liverpool supporters relieved, has reignited the debate over VAR’s role in modern football.

The match at the Etihad Stadium was always expected to be a high-octane affair. Manchester City, defending their Premier League crown, were up against a relentless Liverpool side determined to reclaim the title. Both teams showcased their quality, engaging in a fierce battle that had everything—pace, skill, aggression, and drama. However, the game’s most significant moment arrived in the second half when City thought they had clawed their way back into the contest, only for VAR to intervene.

In the 63rd minute, with Liverpool leading 2-1, City launched a blistering counterattack. Phil Foden weaved his way past two defenders before laying off a perfectly timed pass to Erling Haaland. The Norwegian striker, with his trademark precision, drilled a shot past Alisson Becker into the bottom corner. The Etihad erupted in celebration—until the dreaded VAR check was initiated.

Initially, there seemed to be no apparent infringement. Haaland had not strayed offside, and there were no visible fouls in the build-up. However, as the review dragged on, tension built. The officials scrutinized every frame of the play, and then, to the horror of City fans, referee Anthony Taylor signaled that the goal had been disallowed. The official reason? A supposed foul by Manuel Akanji on Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konaté in the lead-up to the goal.

City players swarmed the referee, protesting vehemently. Pep Guardiola was seen animatedly gesturing on the touchline, visibly frustrated by the decision. The City manager, known for his tactical genius, was left bewildered by the call, as were many pundits and fans watching worldwide.

“What are we even doing with VAR anymore?” former City star Micah Richards raged on live television. “That was never a foul in a million years! Akanji barely touched him! The goal should have stood.”

Liverpool, on the other hand, wasted no time capitalizing on the decision. With City rattled by the disallowed goal, the Reds doubled their intensity. Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai took control of the midfield, frustrating City’s attempts to mount a comeback. Just ten minutes after the controversy, Liverpool extended their lead to 3-1, effectively sealing the game and leaving City fans feeling robbed.

The incident has since sparked a firestorm of reactions across the footballing world. Some believe the decision was justified, arguing that Akanji’s contact, however minimal, was enough to disrupt Konaté and grant Liverpool an unfair disadvantage. Others see it as another example of VAR overstepping its role, excessively dissecting moments that should have been left to the flow of the game.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher defended the decision, stating, “If that challenge happens anywhere else on the pitch, it’s a foul. It may look soft, but rules are rules. VAR is there to make the right call, and in this case, it did.”

However, his counterpart and former Manchester United captain Roy Keane had a contrasting view. “It’s ruining the game. Players can’t even breathe on each other without a foul being called. The Premier League is turning into a non-contact sport.”

Social media exploded with divided opinions. City fans flooded platforms like Twitter and Instagram with videos of the incident, highlighting what they perceived as minimal contact. The hashtag #VAROUT quickly started trending, with many calling for a complete overhaul of the system. Liverpool fans, meanwhile, defended the decision, emphasizing that similar calls had gone against them in the past.

The Premier League released an official statement after the match, reaffirming that the decision was in line with the rules governing off-ball contact. According to the league’s statement, “Any contact that impedes an opposing player in a clear goal-scoring opportunity must be reviewed and considered. The referees determined that Akanji’s contact was sufficient to warrant a foul.”

Yet, this explanation did little to pacify Guardiola, who, in his post-match interview, hinted at a bias against City. “Every week, we talk about consistency. Where is it? Some decisions go one way, some go another. We just want fairness,” he remarked.

This latest controversy has once again put VAR under the spotlight. While introduced to improve decision-making, the technology has continued to divide opinions. Fans argue that it disrupts the natural flow of the game and removes the spontaneous joy of goal celebrations. Others insist it is necessary to maintain fairness and accountability.

As City lick their wounds from the loss, Liverpool celebrate a crucial victory that could be decisive in the title race. The question remains—will VAR ever escape controversy, or is it now an inevitable part of football’s modern era? What is clear is that the debate is far from over, and moments like this will continue to fuel discussions for seasons to come.