Premier League explain WHY Cody Gakpo’s Liverpool equaliser against Aston Villa was disallowed

The Premier League have revealed the reason behind the decision to disallow Cody Gakpo’s equalising goal for Liverpool during Saturday’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa. 

Jacob Ramey had put the visitors ahead in the 27th minute before Dutch forward Gakpo looked to have got the Reds back on level pegging, only for the goal to be chalked off by VAR. 

Roberto Firmino later scored for the hosts to draw his side level in the tie in his final game at Anfield in a Liverpool shirt after it was confirmed he would be leaving the club at the end of the season. 

The Premier League, explaining why Gakpo’s goal had been ruled out, released a statement, which reads: ‘Virgil Van Dijk was in an offside position from Luis Diaz’s header.

‘The VAR recommended a review, and referee John Brooks determined it was a deflection off Enzri Konsa, not a deliberate play.’

The goal was ruled out following a lengthy VAR check, however, before Firmino later equalised

The Premier League have since explained that Virgil van Dijk was offside in the build-up to the goal

With the hosts chasing the game, Luis Diaz headed down a ball in from the right-hand side back across the box, only for it to be blocked by the defender. 

The ball then come out to Virgil van Dijk who was up by the back post on the left, to lay it off to his defensive partner Ibrahima Konate coming on to it from the edge of the box. 

The Dutch centre-back, though, was in an offside position when the ball first came off Diaz. 

French star Konate’s strike was deflected off the line, only for Gakpo to take a touch under tremendous pressure and finish from close range.   

Brazil forward Firmino netted a late equaliser in the 89th minute to win the Reds a vital point in their hunt for Champions League qualification. 

Liverpool now sit fifth in the Premier League table with one game to play, three points behind Newcastle and Manchester United in third and fourth respectively. 

United, who claimed a narrow 1-0 win at Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon, still have two games remaining, however. As do Newcastle, who don’t play until Monday, when they host Leicester. 

Liverpool now face an uphill battle to qualify for the Champions League, though they will feel their final game, away to already relegated Southampton, is very much winnable.  

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