Spot the difference – Liverpool undone by Murillo goal but refereeing inconsistency will enrage Slot

Liverpool were left seething at Anfield on Saturday afternoon as Nottingham Forest’s opening goal exposed once again the glaring inconsistency in Premier League officiating. What should have been a straightforward decision became another chapter in a season filled with controversial VAR moments, and this time Arne Slot’s men were on the receiving end.

Forest took the lead just after the half-hour mark when Murillo pounced on a loose clearance following a corner. The Brazilian defender struck cleanly past Alisson Becker, leaving the home crowd stunned as the visitors celebrated a crucial breakthrough in a tense encounter. The goal, however, immediately raised eyebrows, as replays revealed Dan Ndoye standing in a position that appeared to obstruct the goalkeeper’s line of sight.

Despite Ndoye being marginally offside and seemingly in Alisson’s view, VAR allowed the goal to stand. The decision caused instant uproar among Liverpool supporters, who felt that the situation mirrored a previous controversial call involving their team just 13 days earlier.

Fans quickly recalled Virgil van Dijk’s disallowed equaliser against Manchester City, which was ruled out because Andy Robertson was judged to be interfering with Gianluigi Donnarumma’s vision. That moment changed the direction of the match entirely, with Liverpool eventually losing 3-0. The similarities between the two incidents have caused widespread criticism of the Premier League’s decision-making standards.

The Premier League Match Centre later explained that Ndoye “was not in the line of vision of Alisson and did not make an action that impacted an opponent.” This justification has been met with disbelief by Liverpool supporters, many of whom insist that the replay clearly shows Ndoye positioned directly in front of Alisson as Murillo struck the ball.

To many, the explanation felt like a contradiction of the earlier call involving Robertson at the Etihad. There, a much less obvious obstruction was deemed to have affected the goalkeeper, leading to the goal being ruled out. The contrast between the two decisions is what has angered Liverpool fans most, as it highlights how subjective and inconsistent the officiating has become.

Beyond the specific incident, Liverpool’s frustrations run deeper. Their season has already been marred by poor performances and mounting injuries, and another controversial decision only adds to the growing sense of frustration under Slot. With results already slipping and confidence fragile, moments like these further damage the team’s momentum.

Arne Slot, known for his calm demeanour, is likely to be furious behind the scenes. His team has suffered from several questionable refereeing calls this season, and this incident, combined with the earlier one against Manchester City, might finally provoke a stronger reaction from the manager. His post-match comments will undoubtedly be scrutinised closely.

The reaction online reflected the anger felt inside Anfield. Fans labelled the decision “nonsense,” “baffling,” and “a joke,” with many arguing that the Premier League cannot continue claiming to be the best league in the world while its officiating lags behind. Critics pointed out that technology should be reducing errors, not amplifying them.

Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest capitalised on the controversial moment and grew in confidence as the match progressed. Murillo’s goal not only gave them the lead but also shifted the psychological momentum of the game. For a Liverpool side already battling inconsistency, the setback was significant.

Regardless of how the match ended, the main talking point will undoubtedly be the officiating. The Premier League continues to find itself under fire for decisions that appear arbitrary, contradictory, or lacking clear explanation. Fans, players, and managers are increasingly calling for reforms in how VAR is used and how decisions are communicated.

As Liverpool look ahead to the rest of the season, their focus will have to shift back to performance. Still, moments like the Murillo goal will linger in the memory, especially if the league table tightens and fine margins become decisive.

You can watch Murillo’s goal from Canal+ Sport’s coverage below, as shared by @freezytopceltic o