Image Credits: Imago Images
Wayne Rooney has commented on the Virgil van Dijk’s disallowed goal in Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday.
The contentious moment, arriving in the 38th minutes, is continuing to spark debate as what should have been an equalizer was wiped from existence.
The decision to rule out van Dijk’s goal for offside, with Andy Robertson deemed to have interfered with Donnarumma’s ability to see the ball, has ignited considerable controversy both from the touchline and across the broader football community.
Robertson, positioned just inside the six-yard box, was ruled to be in an offside position and making an “obvious action” directly in front of the City goalkeeper.
The Premier League’s official explanation stated that the Scottish full-back’s positioning and movement had impacted Donnarumma’s ability to make a play on the ball. However, the interpretation of what constitutes “interference”.
However, despite a few back-and-forths with Virgil van Dijk over the last fortnight, Wayne Rooney has come out to defend Liverpool and believes the match officials ultimately made the wrong decision on Sunday:
“Yeah I don’t think it has affected it all [Robertson impacting Donnarumma], when you look at it,” Rooney said to BBC’s Match of the Day.
“Robertson is in an offside position but Van Dijk, good movement, really good header and Donnarumma can see the ball, we know he can see the ball the whole way and Robertson is to the side of him.
“Donnarumma is outstretched, he has a full dive, there’s no affect from Robertson on that goal for me.”
“Donnarumma puts all his weight on his right foot which makes it hard for him to get back across the goal but he dives as soon as Van Dijk heads the ball and he’s on his way, he’s diving and its a really good header, the goal should’ve stood to me,” Rooney said.
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