Why Liverpool winner vs Nottingham Forest wasn't ruled out despite player being offside

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Alexis Mac Allister's winning goal for Liverpool against Nottingham Forest was allowed because Hugo Ekitike did not commit an offside despite being in an offside position. Dominik Szoboszlai's cross went towards the France international, but it was Virgil van Dijk who made contact with the ball.

Liverpool's captain also looked offside, but Ola Aina played Van Dijk onside with his left foot. The defender's header forced a save from Stefan Ortega, and Mac Allister reacted first to score the rebound.

The win moved Liverpool level on points with fourth-place Chelsea . However, the goal caused significant controversy at the City Ground.

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Speaking to the BBC , former Premier League assistant referee, Darren Cann, said: "The Alexis Mac Allister goal was an outstanding call from assistant referee Gary Beswick. To the naked eye, it looked like Van Dijk might be offside from Dominik Szoboszlai's cross; however, Ola Aina's foot just played him onside.

"Hugo Ekitike was in an offside position but did not commit an offside offence. It was a brilliant decision to call this in real time from one of the very best assistant referees in the world ."

Mac Allister already had one goal disallowed during the game after the midfielder closed down a clearance from Ola Aina, blocking the ball into the back of the net. However, a video assistant referee review by Paul Tierney overturned the original decision.

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The referee Anthony Taylor explained: "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."

Mac Allister told the BBC afterwards: "It hit my back and my elbow. I understand the rule, but if you understand football, that goal should have stood.

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"I told Hugo it would be a goal, and one or two minutes later, it was. I'm very glad it was me.

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