Alexis Mac Allister's decisive goal for Liverpool against Nottingham Forest was allowed to stand despite Hugo Ekitine being in an offside position, as the French forward was not adjudged to have committed an offside offence. The incident occurred when Dominik Szoboszlai's cross appeared to be intended for Ekitike, but it was Virgil van Dijk who made contact with the ball.
Van Dijk himself initially looked offside from the cross, but replays showed that Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina's left foot had kept the Liverpool captain onside. Van Dijk's header was saved by Stefan Ortega, and Mac Allister reacted quickest to score from the rebound. The goal, which sparked controversy at the City Ground, moved Liverpool level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea.
Former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann praised the decision by official Gary Beswick, telling the BBC: "The Alexis Mac Allister goal was an outstanding call... To the naked eye, it looked like Van Dijk might be offside, but Ola Aina's foot just played him onside. Hugo Ekitike was in an offside position but did not commit an offside offence."
Earlier in the match, Mac Allister had a goal disallowed after the ball struck his arm when he pressed a clearance from Aina. Referee Anthony Taylor explained: "After review, the ball hits the arm of the goal scorer... Therefore, it's an accidental handball by the goal scorer, so the final decision is a direct free kick."
Mac Allister expressed his frustration afterwards, telling the BBC: "It hit my back and my elbow. I understand the rule, but if you understand football, that goal should have stood." He added: "I told Hugo it would be a goal, and one or two minutes later, it was. I'm very glad it was me."
