Arsenal vs Liverpool: Why was Darwin Nunez goal not offside? Former Premier League ref explains equaliser

Arsenal’s excellent 3-2 win over Liverpool was one of the best contests in English football this season but has been slightly overshadowed by multiple controversial decisions from the officials and VAR.

Both sides felt that key incidents went against them and one of the biggest of the match was Liverpool’s first equaliser from Darwin Nunez which made the score 1-1 on 34 minutes. The Uruguayan finished off a move involving fellow attacker Luis Diaz where the former appeared to start from an offside position and Gabriel was unable to clear the ball which allowed Diaz to run on and cross for Nunez to knock it past Ramsdale and in.

With so much speculation about how much of an impact was made by the former Benfica man in the initial instance, former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has been on hand to attempt to explain the potential reasoning behind allowing the goal to stand.

Speaking to Sky Sports News for their ‘ref watch’ segment, he said: “Nunez doesn’t attempt to play the ball and it goes through to the forward who is clearly onside. Unfortunately Nunez scores adn I say unfortunately because that’s the argument - did he start in an offside position? Because he started in an offside position now [when he scores] he is in an onside position, he’s allowed to continue playing. That’s one of the nuances of the offside law. You would pealise for ‘A’ - has he played the ball? or ‘B’ - has he impacted the defender? They feel not because the ball has gone to another forward.”

Despite that decision, Arsenal were able to go on and win the game with Bukayo Saka scoring twice either side of Liverpool’s second equaliser through Roberto Firmino. The win moved the Gunners back above Manchester City and to the top of the Premier League.

Mikel Arteta’s side are back in European action this Thursday when they welcome Bodø/Glimt to North London. Their next Premier League fixture comes on Sunday, October 16, and it’s a trip to Elland Road where they will face Leeds United. The Yorkshire Club currently sit 14th in the table with nine points.