Liverpool given instant verdict after controversial Nottingham Forest goal

Martin Keown has questioned why Murillo's goal for Nottingham Forest against Liverpool was allowed to stand, when Virgil van Dijk saw a similar strike ruled out against Manchester City earlier this month. The Forest defender fired home from the centre of the area in the 33rd minute of play, as the Reds failed to deal with a tricky corner.

However, Liverpool fans were left scratching their heads as to why the goal was allowed to stand, with Dan Ndoye seemingly stood in an offside position in front of Alisson Becker as the ball crossed the line. However, after a quick VAR check, the goal was allowed to stand, much to the heartbreak of Liverpool fans both inside Anfield and watching around the world .

It will come as an even bitterer pill to swallow considering Van Dijk saw a header - which could have potentially changed the outcome of his side's match against Manchester City - disallowed due to similar circumstances ahead of the international break. The towering centre-half leapt high to connect with Mohamed Salah's corner on that occasion and beat a floundering Gianluigi Donnarumma .

However, the goal was chalked off after review as a result of Andy Robertson standing in front of the shot stopper in an offside position, similarly to Ndoye on Saturday. As a result, Liverpool walked away from the contest empty-handed with a 3-0 loss, with goals from Erling Haaland , Nico Gonzalez and Jeremy Doku punishing Arne Slot's side at the Etihad Stadium.

And the decision to allow Nottingham Forest's goal to stand ruffled the feathers of Keown in particular, who was heard on BBC Radio 5 Live saying: "If you follow the mantra of last time when Robertson ducked out the way of the ball [against Man City], and here the ball goes through the legs of the player in front of Alisson. Why did that go against us last week and the opposite against us this week?"

In a bid to give clarity on matters, the Premier League Match Centre's official X account wrote: "The referee’s call of goal was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that Ndoye was not in the line of vision of Allison and did not make an action that impacted an opponent."

It comes as the match suffered further controversy moments later, when Igor Jesus seemingly put the visitors 2-0 up against the defending Premier League champions. The Brazilian received the ball in the centre of the area as it bundled off Ibrahima Konate before landing at his feet.

From there, he hammered it past a rooted Allisson and into the back of the net. However, as a result of a handball, the strike was disallowed. Keown was quick to comment on matters once more, saying: "It looks like the ball came up and hit Jesus on his ribcage. Surely VAR have seen something to chalk it off. I can't see the hand."

Meanwhile, Ashley Williams was in agreement on Final Score. He said: "I'm seeing two angles of the goal and on neither angle can I see the where it touches the arm at all. It his Jesus between the chest and the stomach. That goal should stand."

Mike Dean also spoke about the incident on Sky Sports , claiming that VAR may have got the decision wrong. He explained: "To overturn, it has to be clear and obvious. and there is no evidence to say otherwise. I think it is harsh. I have to back the decision on-field."

Forest eventually got their second goal as the second-half got underway, with Nicolo Savona slotting home from the centre of the box before wheeling off in celebration. Another defeat for Liverpool could come as a cause for concern, given how Slot's season has played out thus far.

The club entered Saturday's clash having lost four of their last five Premier League outings, as their aspirations of defending the title they won last year took a major blow.

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