ARNE SLOT was visibly furious as Virgil van Dijk’s goal for Liverpool was controversially ruled out.
And even Gary Neville felt the Reds were hard done by.
Van Dijk thought he had headed his side level at the Etihad.
The giant Dutchman rose highest from a corner to power a brilliant effort beyond City stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
He raced away to celebrate his crucial goal – but his joy was cut short by a delayed flag.
Andy Robertson was penalised for being in an offside position when Van Dijk headed goalwards.
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The Scot thought he had done enough to duck out of the way and was clearly not in Donnarumma’s eyeline or seemingly interfering.
But after a VAR check, the on-field decision stood – much to the confusion of most watching.
The Premier League Match Centre explained on X: “The referee’s call of offside and no goal to Liverpool was checked and confirmed by VAR – with Robertson in an offside position and deemed to be making an obvious action directly in front of the goalkeeper.”
But Van Dijk and his boss Slot were clearly and understandably seething with the call.
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Manchester United legend Neville said: “Robertson is to the left of the goalkeeper.
“I think he is outside the eyeline of the goalkeeper.
“I think Slot is right to be fuming.
“The goalkeeper is not getting anywhere near that. He had a clear line of sight.”
Danny Murphy added on BBC: “That goal should stand. Robertson is not in Donnarumma’s line of vision.”
Roy Keane was less convinced, though.
He told Sky Sports’ Super Sunday at half-time: “Robertson has got to get up quicker, you have to reward City.
“He is in line with the ball, Robertson has to get out quicker.”
But ex-City man Micah Richards replied: “I wouldn’t agree.
“I think it’s harsh. I think the goalkeeper can see it all the way. I can understand the rules and why it was taken away but I think it’s harsh.”
Liverpool’s frustration was worsened by the fact that VAR stepped in to award City an early penalty.
Giorgi Mamardashvili clipped Jeremy Doku with his knee and although ref Chris Kavanagh initially waved away the appeals, he changed his mind after being sent to the screen to watch a replay.
Erling Haaland fluffed his lines from the spot, though, as Mamardashvili saved.
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Haaland made amends on 29 minutes with a superb header to break the deadlock before the Van Dijk controversy on 38 minutes.
And to rub salt into the visitors’ wounds, Nico Gonzalez made it 2-0 just before the break with a heavily deflected and fortuitous effort.
