Virgil van Dijk has drawn comparisons between Joel Matip’s disallowed goal on Sunday evening and Raphael Varane’s against Burnley in the Premier League earlier this month.
Liverpool were victorious after a penalty shootout in the Carabao Cup final at the weekend, but the game wouldn’t have gone the distance had Van Dijk not had been offside in the build-up to Matip’s disallowed goal.
The Reds played out an incredibly entertaining 0-0 draw with Chelsea, with four goals being disallowed courtesy of the linesman and VAR.
The Blues had three ruled out, whilst Jurgen Klopp’s men saw just Matip’s effort chalked off.
The latter goal came when Trent Alexander-Arnold delivered a free-kick to the back post where Sadio Mane then headed the ball across the face of the goal for the centre-back to nod home.
However, Van Dijk was in an offside position when the initial cross was delivered and slightly blocked the run of Reece James, therefore ruling that he had interfered with play.
Speaking after the game, the Dutch defender said: “There was a lot of hard work, what we expected before the game. A lot of calm nerves. It was an intense game and offside goals were also a thing and that rule of just keeping playing on until whenever is annoying.
"It is something we have to consider taking out for next season (playing on when a player is offside). Unnecessary metres and challenges come from it.
Then asked about the disallowed goal, the ex-Southampton star said: “I told the ref I don’t understand. I wasn’t even participating in the moment, the ball went over my head and I did not even go for the ball.
"It is a game of challenges and you are allowed to block a move. I think we saw it when Manchester United played away at Burnley there was a similar thing that was also disallowed and I don’t understand it.”
United saw a goal disallowed for the exact same reason as Liverpool’s in their 1-1 draw with Burnley earlier this season.
Harry Maguire was adjudged to have blocked one of the Clarets’ defenders before Varane came in at the back post to head home.
The English defender, too, was vocal in his criticism of the rule and how he didn’t feel he influenced play as he didn’t though the ball. He told BT Sport: "I think he gave it offside.
"He (the referee) said it wasn't a foul. Interfering with play, I don't know. I actually made my run earlier and it didn't end up being a little bit of a block. I don't think Rodriguez would have affected the goal from which Rafa (Raphael Varane) scored.”
The goal essentially cost the Red Devils all three points as they went on to draw the match 1-1, with the obstructed player Jay Rodriguez equalising in the second half.
On the other hand, Liverpool still returned to Anfield with the Carabao Cup trophy despite the decision and thus it is hard to see Van Dijk being overly furious about the decision now.
