The incident occurred in the second half amid an otherwise dominant 5-2 victory for Arne Slot’s side. With Liverpool leading comfortably following first-half strikes from Hugo Ekitike (5’), Virgil van Dijk (24’), and Alexis Mac Allister (43’), plus Tomas Soucek pulling one back early in the second period (49’), West Ham found a brief lifeline when Valentin Castellanos headed home from a corner in the 75th minute to make it 4-2.
Replays broadcast on TV and circulating online showed the Argentine forward positioned well beyond Liverpool’s defensive line at the moment the ball was delivered, with multiple angles suggesting he was in an offside position by a noticeable margin. Despite a prolonged VAR check involving referee Tim Robinson and Stockley Park officials, the goal was awarded after the semi-automated offside system reportedly deemed it onside — a call that left the Kop stunned into silence before erupting in boos and chants questioning the technology.
Social media exploded immediately, with Liverpool fans flooding platforms with screenshots, freeze-frames, and angry posts: “How is that not offside? Clear as day — VAR robbing us again at Anfield” and “Replays show Castellanos miles ahead, yet it stands? Consistency where?” Many pointed to the irony, referencing recent tight offside calls that went against the Reds in other matches, while neutrals and even some West Ham supporters admitted the decision looked questionable. “Even as a neutral, that looks off — VAR failing basic lines again,” one viral comment read.
The controversy overshadowed much of the post-match analysis despite Liverpool’s clinical performance. Cody Gakpo restored the three-goal cushion with a fine finish (70’), before substitute Jeremie Frimpong‘s cross led to an Axel Disasi own goal (82’) to seal the rout. Ekitike’s early opener and involvement throughout earned praise, but the offside goal briefly threatened to shift momentum and gave West Ham false hope in their relegation fight.
Pundits weighed in heavily during Sky Sports and BBC coverage. Former referees noted the use of semi-automated offside technology, which employs virtual lines and tolerance margins (including the 5cm buffer in some interpretations), but admitted the visual evidence made the call hard to justify for many viewers. “It’s tight in real time, but those angles scream offside — questions need answering on why it stood,” one analyst said. Mark Goldbridge and others highlighted perceived inconsistencies, drawing parallels to prior VAR decisions involving Liverpool.
Liverpool issued no official complaint post-match, with Slot focusing on his side’s resilience and set-piece dominance in interviews. West Ham’s camp remained relatively quiet on the incident, perhaps relieved to escape a heavier defeat, but the decision has amplified broader calls for greater transparency in VAR processes — including demands for real-time explanations and audio releases.
Anfield’s roar returned for the remaining action, but the lingering frustration was palpable. Supporters are asking serious questions: How can such a blatant offside slip through in a game of this magnitude? What does it say about competence and consistency? With the Premier League title race and European spots at stake, moments like this can influence seasons — and Liverpool fans are adamant they have been robbed at a crucial juncture once more.
The controversy shows no signs of fading, with the debate only growing louder as clips continue to circulate and pundits dissect every frame.
