Liverpool Have Goal Controversially Disallowed In Carabao Cup Final Due To Virgil Van Dijk 'Interference'

Liverpool were left aggrieved after their opening goal against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup was ruled out due to Virgil van Dijk's interference.

The Reds served up a superb set-piece routine that paid dividends in the second half and looked to have brought the game's first goal.

The ball was whipped in beautifully by Trent Alexander-Arnold and found the unmarked Sadio Mane, who headed back across for Joel Matip to nod in.

Van Dijk had blocked off Reece James to get Mane the free run on the left in what was a clever piece of play.

However, the Dutch defender strayed offside and after referee Stuart Attwell went to the VAR monitor, the goal was chalked off.

While Van Dijk was not directly involved in the sense that he didn't touch the ball, his action was deemed to be an act of affecting the play.

The incident was eerily similar to one involving Harry Maguire against Burnley last month.

Raphael Varane headed home against the Clarets at Turf Moor but United skipper Maguire was in an offside position and adjudged to have interfered by blocking off Jay Rodriguez.