Liverpool told why VAR allowed controversial Brighton goal after Welbeck offside decision…

Liverpool explained why VAR permitted the contentious goal by Brighton after the offside call on Welbeck.

Danny Welbeck netted a disputed goal, putting Brighton ahead 2-1 against Liverpool on Saturday. There were significant claims that the striker was in an offside position when the ball was played back across the six-yard box, just before he scored past Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Earlier in the match, Welbeck had opened the scoring by rising highest to head home from Diego Gomez’s lofted pass. Milos Kerkez equalized after 30 minutes by intercepting Lewis Dunk’s backpass to the goalkeeper and chipping the ball over Bart Verbruggen into an empty net.

However, Welbeck was uncertain about his position when he restored Brighton’s lead for the second time just before the hour mark.

Yakuba Minteh delivered an early cross into a threatening area, where Hinshelwood outjumped Virgil van Dijk to make the first contact, playing the ball back for Welbeck to score.

The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward immediately glanced at the assistant referee to confirm his onside status, and the flag remained down.

He celebrated nervously with his teammates, conscious of the close offside decision that could have dampened their spirits.

Mamardashvili raised his hand and led the appeals for offside, but his request was denied after a VAR review.

Images were displayed on TNT Sports shortly after the goal was validated, indicating to Liverpool that Welbeck was not ahead of the ball when Hinshelwood passed it to him.

Earlier in the match, Liverpool had received unfortunate news when Hugo Ekitike had to leave the field due to injury.

The French striker played only nine minutes before expressing discomfort in his leg and was substituted by Curtis Jones. Ekitike exited the pitch with tears streaming down his face.

Brighton could have increased their lead further in the final moments when Minteh broke through on goal, but his powerful shot was expertly saved by Mamardashvili, who filled in for the injured Alisson.

In the 87th minute, Jones successfully cleared the ball off the line after a powerful shot from Mats Wieffer.