Liverpool was handed a massive let-off as Cole Palmer’s goal was disallowed at Anfield, preventing Chelsea from taking the lead in a big game for both sides in the Premier League
Cole Palmer’s goal was disallowed for Chelsea against Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
The Premier League has given its official explanation as to why Cole Palmer’s goal for Chelsea was disallowed against Liverpool.
The Blues looked to have taken the lead when Palmer followed up on Giorgi Mamardashvili’s save from Joao Pedro shortly after the restart, with Ryan Gravenberch and Enzo Fernandez having scored during the first half as the two sides went in level at the break.
VAR intervened though, with replays showing that Marc Cucurella has been marginally offside in the build-up. The left-back played the ball on to Pedro before Palmer struck, although referee Craig Pawson would end up chalking the goal off.
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The explanation from the Premier League Match Centre said: “49’ VAR OVERTURN VAR checked the referee’s call of goal – and established that Cucurella was in an offside position in the build-up and recommended that the goal was disallowed.”
The decision came as a major lifeline for Liverpool, with the Reds having struggled to get any kind of foothold in the game after Gravenberch’s opener.
The midfielder curled the ball home superbly after just six minutes, but thereafter, the hosts spent most of the first 45 minutes in their own half before Enzo Fernandez’s free-kick managed to sneak in from distance, possibly with a touch from Wesley Fofana.
Enzo Fernandez celebrates scoring against Liverpool at Anfield(Image: Gareth Copley)
Summing up the Reds’ problems, former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock told BBC Radio 5 Live: “There’s no pressure on the ball, there’s no intensity, they look lost in the system as Chelsea come forward. Chelsea have dominated the ball.
“Chelsea players have got the run of Anfield at the moment. The line is really deep from Liverpool’s point of view. [Ibrahima] Konate drops all the time, he’s petrified of the ball in behind him. Him and [Virgil] Van Dijk are constantly arguing about the bravery of how to hold the line and Konate is not strong enough to do it.”
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Liverpool went into the game knowing that it could secure Champions League qualification if results went its way on Saturday.
A win over Chelsea, coupled with any dropped points for Bournemouth later in the day, would secure a top-five finish for Arne Slot’s side, although on the evidence against the Blues, there is plenty of work to be done over the summer regardless.
