The Premier League Match Centre have issued an explanation on why Alexis Mac Allister had a goal disallowed, moments before the Liverpool midfielder scored a 97th-minute winner for the Reds. Mac Allister thought he’d won it for the Reds in the 89th minute but Ola Aina’s clearance was adjudged to have hit his arm. The ball came off his elbow and that meant, though there was no intent to handle the ball, because it went directly into the back of the net, it was chalked off.
Mac Allister then fired in from close range after Virgil van Dijk’s header was blocked by Murillo seven minutes into stoppage time to nick victory for the defending champions. The goal was only given after another lengthy VAR check to confirm whether or not Van Dijk had strayed offside before his header.
On the first goal, which was chalked off, the Match Centre wrote on social media: « After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of goal to Liverpool. Referee announcement: ‘After review, the ball hits the arm of the goal scorer, Liverpool No. 10. Therefore, it’s an accidental handball by the goal scorer, so the final decision is a direct free kick.' »
The Match Centre have not issued a second statement on the Mac Allister goal that was allowed. But replays showed captain Van Dijk was kept very narrowly onside by Aina behind him as Dominik Szoboszlai delivered the ball into the box.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot admitted his team were lucky to win at the City Ground. He said: « If you score in the last minute, there’s always an element of luck. But so many times this season, we’ve experienced the opposite.
« I don’t mean conceding in the last minute – that’s happened as well – but it’s about us deserving more than what we got. A draw would have been a fairer result than a win for us. »
While goalscorer Mac Allister reflected: « Mixed feelings to be honest. Love scoring, love winning. IN that sense it’s a really good day. But I don’t think we played very well. There are things we need to improve, but it’s always nicer when we win. »
Asked if the disallowed goal hit his elbow, the Argentine replied: « It did, but it’s harsh. Because it hit my back as well. I understand the rules but it’s football, it’s very harsh. »
On the goal that did stand, he added: « I knew I would get another one. Before the throw-in, I told Hugo [Ekitike] it would be our situation. But I had another opportunity and I am glad it went in. »
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