THE VAR REVIEW : Why Van Dijk’s goal was ruled out for offsideAND Casemiro’s goal was allowed Here’s why the goal was disallowed for offside at WembleyFull details 👇

Liverpool beat Chelsea 1-0 after extra time in the final of the Carabao Cup. Virgil van Dijk won the game in the final moments of the additional 30 minutes, but he could have done so on the hour but for a VAR intervention.

Here’s why the goal was disallowed for offside at Wembley.

– How VAR decisions have affected every Prem club in 2023-24

– VAR in the Premier League: Ultimate guide

Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool

Possible offside: Endo on Van Dijk goal

What happened: Virgil van Dijk thought he had given Liverpool the lead in the 60th minute when he headed home Andy Robertson’s free kick. But as the players celebrated, there was a check in progress for a subjective offside, and referee Chris Kavanagh was sent to the pitchside screen by the VAR, John Brooks.

VAR decision: Goal disallowed.

Wataru Endo blocks the run of Levi Colwill having been in an offside position. Sky Sports

VAR review: They say lightning never strikes twice … unless you’re Liverpool and playing Chelsea in the final of the Carabao Cup.

Two years ago, Liverpool thought they had taken the lead at Wembley when Joël Matip headed home in the 67th minute, but the VAR stepped in after he identified that Van Dijk had blocked Reece James and prevented him from making a challenge.

So for 2022, read 2024 too.

It’s not about a foul by Wataru ; indeed it wouldn’t be penalised if he was onside. It’s impeding an opponent, which has a much lower threshold than a foul.

This kind of blocking move goes on at free kicks all the time in the Premier League, but there are two key considerations: is the player offside, and if so, has he impacted an opponent from getting involved in the play? In the vast majority of cases if the blocking player is offside, they aren’t stopping a player who has the chance to challenge for the ball — so the VAR won’t get involved. And, of course, in most cases a goal isn’t scored so the VAR wouldn’t have the remit to look at similar blocking from an offside position.

Yet you will see it penalised several times in the leagues across Europe each season. Indeed, in October Brentford thought they had scored against Burnley when Bryan Mbeumo took a free kick, it was helped back across the area by Nathan Collins and headed home by Neal Maupay. But Kristoffer Ajer, who was offside, was penalised for holding back Lyle Foster when the free kick came over to Collins.

Previous examples include Raphaël Varane’s goal for Manchester United against Burnley chalked off after an offside Harry Maguire had blocked a defender, and an Aston Villa goal cancelled at Old Trafford when Jacob Ramsey had stopped a run from Edinson Cavani, who was back defending.

Levi Colwill was prevented from running into the area where the ball was going to drop. ESPN

The law states: “if a player moving from, or standing in, an offside position is in the way of an opponent and interferes with the movement of the opponent towards the ball, this is an offside offence if it impacts on the ability of the opponent to play or challenge for the ball.”

When Robertson took the free kick, Endo was in an offside position. As the ball came into the area, Endo blocked Levi Colwill. The VAR has judged that Endo prevented the Chelsea defender from being able to run into the dropping zone and potentially make a challenge. It’s the area that Colwill would expect to attack and there would have been a clear channel for him to run into.

If this wasn’t an offence in law, attackers would have carte blanche to actively position themselves offside to block the runs of opposition players. That happens of course — the important difference being the attacker is usually back onside by the time the ball is kicked as the line drops.

Liverpool’s joy at Virgil van Dijk’s second-half header would be short-lived. Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

The law doesn’t demand that Colwill will win the ball, only that his ability to make a challenge for it has been affected.

Much like the VAR intervention to award Newcastle United a penalty for a shirt pull on an offside Fabian Schär against AFC Bournemouth last weekend, it’s the correct decision in law but there will be plenty who feel this is re-refereeing a game, getting involved when it wasn’t apparent there was a possible offence.

Casemiro’s goal for Manchester United against Nottingham Forest was met with celebration. An expert on VAR explained the reason behind why the goal was allowed to stand during United’s FA Cup victory over Nottingham Forest.

is considered an offside offense if it hinders the opponent’s ability to play or challenge for the ball. If the player obstructs the opponent’s progress (e.g., by blocking them), it should be penalized under Law 12.”

In this specific incident, Endo was in an offside position when Robertson took the free-kick. As the ball entered the box, the midfielder obstructed Colwill. From VAR’s perspective, it was determined that Van Dijk’s actions prevented the Blues defender from entering the drop zone and making a challenge.

The differences between Casemiro’s goal and Virgil van Dijk’s disallowed header in the Carabao Cup final were subtle, leaving fans puzzled as to why one was allowed and the other was not. United’s late victory secured their spot in the FA Cup quarter-finals, setting up a match against Liverpool in the next round