'Where is the consistency?!' - Reds rage at decision to allow Stones goal to stand

Some Liverpool fans were left puzzled by the decision to let Manchester City’s opening goal stand in the crucial top-of-the-table clash at Anfield on Sunday.

Kevin De Bruyne’s cleverly-taken corner found centre back John Stones unmarked at the front post and the England international prodded home past Caoimhin Kelleher from close range. 

However, in the build up to the goal, Nathan Ake appeared to block off Alexis Mac Allister from getting back towards his own goal and intercepting the pass to Stones. 

Many Reds fans on social media were reminded of the recent VAR decision in the Carabao Cup final which annulled Virgil van Dijk’s second-half header following a block by Wataru Endo on Chelsea defender Levi Colwill. 

The Japanese midfielder prevented Colwill from making a run towards goal but did so from an offside position. 

That is the reason why the goal was ruled out, although Van Dijk and Liverpool had the last laugh after extra time. 

Can't be offside from a corner

“Ake pushing Mac Allister out of the way so Stones can score, but it's only disallowed when it's one of our players who does that,” wrote one fan on X, formerly Twitter. 

“Nathan Ake clearly blocks Mac Allister!?!? We recently had a goal ruled out against Chelsea for Endo blocking a man? Where is the consistency in this league!?” said another. 

It’s impossible to be offside from a corner kick so the matchday officials, and VAR, had no reason to go back and check for offsides as De Bruyne’s kick was taken. 

“There's nothing wrong with the goal,” ex-Premier League referee Mike Dean said on Sky Sports punditry. “Clever corner from Man City.” 

However, Ake’s involvement might well have been deemed a foul, meaning a Liverpool player could have been illegitimately denied the chance to save his side from going behind. 

But that's not something that one ex-Red agrees with.

"Mac Allister's got to be more aggressive at that front post, it's just too easy," said Jamie Carragher.