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Chris Kavanagh refereeing, Michael Oliver in a circular insetCredit

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Ex-PGMOL chief calls for VAR change as ‘Chuckle Brothers’ blasted over Man City vs Liverpool controversy

 

Mon 10 November 2025 19:30, UK

Chris Kavanagh and Michael Oliver were both to blame for the wrong decisions during Man City’s win over Liverpool.

 

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that both officials failed to take responsibility for what happened at the Etihad Stadium.

 

 

Ex-PGMOL chief Keith Hackett officials over Liverpool storm after significant new development

 

Jeremy Doku was the star player as the Citizens claimed a 3-0 win against Arne Slot‘s side on Sunday, 9 November, with the victory moving them within four points of first-place Arsenal.

 

Erling Haaland netted a fine header before Virgil van Dijk saw an equaliser wrongly disallowed for the Reds. Nico Gonzalez rubbed salt into the wounds before half-time, with Doku adding a third.

 

 

Jeremy Doku penalty call causes debate in Man City vs Liverpool

In the 11th minute, Doku was brought down by Giorgi Mamardashvili inside the penalty area, one which Hackett completely disagreed after re-analysing the goalkeeper’s challenge.

 

Ultimately, it was not a decision that had a huge impact on the game, with Haaland seeing his effort from 12 yards saved, but it did not stop supporters from both sides debating on social media.

 

Van Dijk‘s disallowed goal was yet another moment which caused fury amongst fans, and all of that frustration has led back to referee Kavanagh and VAR official Oliver.

 

MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES

❌ ERLING HAALAND DENIED FROM THE PENALTY SPOT!!!

 

Giorgi Mamardashvili makes up for his error after bringing Jeremy Doku down by making a terrific save from Haaland’s spot-kick! pic.twitter.com/bgPJIeyOBB

 

— Football Insider (@footyinsider247) November 9, 2025

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Premier League referees have been under heavy criticism in 2025-26, and so too has the use of VAR, and Hackett is eager for a change at Stockley Park after yet more outbursts at the Etihad.

 

VAR operators should be fully trained after Michael Oliver’s mistake

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “This is a decision that should have been made by the referee. You’ve got this working relationship between referee and VAR. To me, to you; it’s a little bit like the Chuckle Brothers.

 

“We know it’s the VAR making the decision, not the referee. That’s where we all lose a little bit of faith about how VAR is operating.

 

“Until you get a full-time, trained squad of VAR operators, and not just existing referees, we’ll have this lack of consistency. Referees are reluctant to change their decisions. It’s a process that is still flawed.”

 

Chris Kavanagh

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Arsenal injury, suspension list and return dates vs. Portsmouth: Piero Hincapie, Riccardo Calafiori, Cristhian Mosquera latest

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Arsenal will begin their bid to win the FA Cup for the 15th time in their history when they travel to Fratton Park for Sunday’s meeting with Championship strugglers Portsmouth.

 

The Gunners missed the chance to further extend their six-point lead at the top of the Premier League table in Thursday’s underwhelming goalless draw against Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.

 

While their five-game winning league run came to an end, Mikel Arteta will be pleased with the fact that his side are now unbeaten in seven competitive matches ahead of Sunday’s cup tie and Wednesday’s EFL Cup semi-final first leg against Chelsea.

 

Here, Sports Mole rounds up all of Arsenal’s latest injury and suspension news ahead of the clash with Portsmouth, who are languishing in 21st spot in the Championship standings.

 

Piero Hincapie

 

 

 

Status: Major doubt

 

Type of injury: Muscle

 

Possible return date: January 11 (vs. Portsmouth)

 

Hincapie was forced off with what appeared to be a muscle problem in the 57th minute of Thursday’s draw with Liverpool. Arteta now faces a nervous wait to discover the full extent of the defender’s injury.

 

Kai Havertz

 

 

Status: Minor doubt

 

Type of injury: Match fitness

 

Possible return date: January 11 (vs. Portsmouth)

 

Havertz has recovered from the knee injury that kept him out of action for months. However, he has been left out of Arsenal’s last two matchday squads as he continues to build up his fitness. There is a possibility that the forward could make his first appearance since August in Sunday’s FA Cup clash.

 

Riccardo Calafiori

 

 

Status: Out

 

Type of injury: Muscle

 

Possible return date: January 14 (vs. Chelsea)

 

Calafiori has sat out Arsenal’s last four matches with a muscle injury. The defender is making progress in his recovery, but he is not expected to be ready for the upcoming trip to the south coast.

 

Cristhian Mosquera

 

 

Status: Out

 

Type of injury: Ankle

 

Possible return date: January 14 (vs. Chelsea)

 

Like Calafiori, Mosquera is closing in on a return to action after missing over a month of action due to an ankle injury. However, the former Valencia defender will not be available for selection this weekend.

 

Max Dowman

 

 

Status: Out

 

Type of injury: Ankle

 

Possible return date: Unknown

 

Max Dowman is likely to be out until February after sustaining an ankle problem while playing for Arsenal Under-21s in last month’s behind-closed-doors friendly against Manchester United.

 

ARSENAL’S SUSPENSION LIST

 

Arsenal have no players suspended for the third-round tie.

 

 

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Full confirmed list of Arsenal ins and outs in January transfer window as first deal announced

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Arsenal transfer ins and outs as Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta get to work in the January window

 

 

 

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.

 

Arsenal remain in the driving seat to clinch the Premier League title crown this season – and they could strengthen Mikel Arteta’s squad to bolster their chances.

 

 

Phillip Schofield’s latest replacement revealed as Holly Willoughby gets new co-host

 

Whether or not the right players are out there remains to be seen, but with Arteta enduring several injury blows already this season – particularly in defence – the manager will be keeping a close eye on potential targets.

 

The Gunners splashed the cash in the summer, bringing in the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze, Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera to the Emirates Stadium – so a loan deal might favour the club

 

Gabriel Martinelli ban and fine verdicts as FA make punishment decision on Arsenal ace

 

There could also be high-profile exits, both loans and permanent deals, with young midfield talent Ethan Nwaneri linked with an exit. Other youngsters could also make loan moves to get a taste of first-team football.

 

With that said, football.london takes a closer look at all the moves completed by Arsenal so far this January.

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News Liverpool’s injury list, suspensions and availability

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Read the latest information on injuries, suspensions and availability in the Liverpool men’s squad.

 

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Injuries

 

Hugo Ekitike

 

Ekitike was unavailable for the clash with Fulham because of DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness). Arne Slot was asked whether he will be fit for the game at Arsenal on January 8.

 

Slot on January 7: “He has not trained with us until now and let’s see if he can today.

 

“I’ve said, I think, two or three days ago when we played Fulham that he is not going to be out for long but because games come so fast he is in between maybe training with the team or it would take him one or two days extra.”

 

Wataru Endo

 

The midfielder has been out of action with an ankle injury since appearing in the 3-3 draw at Leeds United on December 6.

 

Alexander Isak

 

Isak is facing a spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on an ankle injury that included a fibula fracture on December 22.

 

He sustained the issue while scoring against Tottenham Hotspur two days prior.

 

Slot on December 23: “It’s going to be a long injury. For a couple of months. That’s a big, big, big disappointment for him and as a result of that of course also for us.”

 

Slot did also confirm he is confident Isak will be able to play again during the 2025-26 season.

 

Giovanni Leoni

 

The defender is amid a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury at the end of his debut against Southampton in the Carabao Cup.

 

Slot on September 26: “He is not in a good place, of course, because he tore his ACL and it means he will be out for a year. Being so young and coming to a new country and playing so well in your first game… it’s very hard to take the positive side.

 

“There’s never a positive side – but you always try to look at a positive side and that is that he is still so young, so he has so many years still to go after he recovers from a terrible injury like that.”

 

Availability

 

Mohamed Salah

 

After featuring off the bench versus Brighton on December 13, the forward is now with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.

 

Salah scored in the group games against Zimbabwe and South Africa to help his country reach the last 16. They are next in action on January 5.

 

Suspensions

 

Conor Bradley

 

Bradley is one yellow card away from receiving a one-match suspension in the Champions League.

 

The Reds travel to Marseille on January 21 for matchday seven of the league phase and then host Qarabag a week later.

 

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