Premier League Release Full VAR Audio of Virgil van Dijk’s Disallowed Goal

The Premier League has released the full audio of the VAR check that led to Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City after Liverpool filed a complaint about the decision.

Earlier this week, Liverpool made contact with PGMOL – the body responsible for refereeing games in English professional association football – to raise concerns about Van Dijk’s disallowed goal in their 3-0 defeat to City.

Van Dijk's first-half header was ruled out after Andy Robertson was adjudged to be interfering with play. Liverpool, however, believe the goal should have been allowed to stand.

In fact, senior figures from the club have rejected the idea that Gianluigi Donnarumma’s view was impeded by the presence of Robertson, who ducked out of the way to avoid touching the ball.

Liverpool also believe the usual checks involved in the VAR process did not take place.

On Tuesday evening, footage of the disallowed goal was shown on the Match Officials Mic'd Up show alongside audio exchanges between referee Chris Kavanagh, his assistant Stuart Burt and VAR officials Michael Oliver and Tim Wood.

As seen in the footage below, PGMOL chief refereeing officer Howard Webb defended the ruling.

"For sure Michael, a huge decision in a big game," began Webb. "As the ball moves towards Robertson - three yards out from goal in the middle of the six-yard box - he makes that clear action to duck below the ball.

"It goes just over his head and finds the goal in the half of the six-yard box where he is.

"The officials have to make a judgment, did that clear action impact on the goalkeeper and his ability to save the ball? That's where the subjectivity comes into play. They looked at that action so close to the goalkeeper and formed that opinion.

"I know that's not a view held by everybody but it's not unreasonable to understand why [the officials] would form that conclusion when the player is so close to the goalkeeper, the ball is coming right towards him and he has to duck to get out of the way.

"They form the conclusion that it impacts Donnarumma's ability to dive towards the ball and make the save."

Listen to the audio of Virgil van Dijk's goal against Manchester City being disallowed 🔊

Speaking on Match Officials Mic'd Up, PGMO chief Howard Webb explains why VAR did not intervene to overturn the decision. pic.twitter.com/l3sYMYmjJR

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 11, 2025

Webb added: "Once they've made that on-field decision, the job of the VAR is to look at that and decide was the outcome clearly and obviously wrong. Only Donnarumma truly knows if he was impacted by this and we have to look at the factual evidence."

Full transcript of audio recording from Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal

Assistant referee (Stuart Burt): "Robertson's in line of vision, right in front of the keeper. He's ducked under the ball. He's very, very close to him. I think he's line of vision. I think he's (Donnarumma) been impacted, mate."

Referee (Chris Kavanagh): "Ok so offside then."

Assistant referee (Stuart Burt): "I think offside."

Referee (Chris Kavangh): "On-field decision is offside."

VAR (Michael Oliver): "Checking the on-field decision of offside against Andy Robertson. Delay, delay... So you've got clear offside position."

VAR (Tim Wood): "I agree with the on-field decision. I think it's offside. It's a clear, obvious action which clearly impacts on the goalkeeper."

VAR (Michael Oliver): "Chris, it's Michael. Confirming the on-field decision of offside against Andy Robertson. He is in an offside position, very close to the goalkeeper and makes an obvious movement directly in front of him. Check complete, offside."