Liverpool told why VAR allowed controversial Brighton goal after offside decision | Football | Sport

Danny Welbeck scored a controversial goal to put Brighton up 2-1 against Liverpool on Saturday. There were strong accusations that the striker was in an offside position when the ball was put back across the six-yard box, before he finished past Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Welbeck had opened the scoring earlier in the game, rising highest from Diego Gomez’s lofted pass to head home. Milos Kerkez then equalised after 30 minutes when he intercepted Lewis Dunk’s backpass to the goalkeeper and chipped the ball over Bart Verbruggen into an empty net.

But Welbeck was unsure if he was onside when he gave Brighton the lead for the second time just before the hour mark.

Yakuba Minteh fired an early cross into a dangerous area, where Hinshelwood beat Virgil van Dijk to the first contact, playing the ball back across for Welbeck to score.

The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker immediately looked over to the assistant to check if he was onside and the flag was not raised.

He nervously celebrated with his team-mates, aware that he faced a tight offside call which could have wiped the grin off their faces.

Mamardashvili put his hand up and led appeals for offside, but his claim was turned down following a VAR check.

Images flashed up on TNT Sports shortly after the goal was confirmed, informing Liverpool that Welbeck was not beyond the ball when Hinshelwood played it to him.

Liverpool had already received miserable news earlier in the match when Hugo Ekitike was forced off through injury.

Brighton could have extended their lead further in the closing stages when Minteh got in on goal, but his powerful drive was well saved by Mamardashvili, who stepped in for the injured Alisson.

Jones also cleared the ball off the line in the 87th minute following a fierce shot from Mats Wieffer.