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Chris Kavanagh refereeing, Michael Oliver in a circular insetCredit
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.
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❌ 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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Virgil van Dijk vented his anger towards Federico Chiesa following Wolves’ decisive goal at Molineux. Rob Edwards’ outfit pulled off a surprise 2-1 triumph in the Premier League as the Reds squandered an opportunity to climb into fourth position.
Mohamed Salah netted an 83rd-minute leveller in a chaotic conclusion after Rodrigo Gomes had opened the scoring in the Midlands. However, Andre sparked wild celebrations in the stands with a 94th-minute winner.
Liverpool skipper Van Dijk was left furious following the late setback and yelled in Chiesa’s direction, evidently unimpressed with the Italian’s contribution. Alisson had launched a pass towards the winger, but after the duo failed to connect, Chiesa did not track back in an attempt to retrieve the ball.
Andre’s strike then deflected beyond the Brazilian and into the net. A series of issues emerged in the post-match analysis.
Van Dijk was more measured in his post-match interview, though still frustrated by the nature of the defeat.
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“Conceding goals is always frustrating,” he told TNT Sport when asked if there were any frustrations about the manner of the two Wolves goals. “Obviously we’ve come on the back of a couple of clean sheets and I think defensively we have been very solid.
“But yeah, listen, it is what it is and we have to move quickly on because we come back here in a couple of days and we want to do well in the FA Cup as well and we have to show a reaction.”
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard reckons his former side were sluggish in responding to an error from Alisson. “The Liverpool players from the goalkeeper’s mistake – it’s not the greatest clearance from Alisson – but I just thought they were slow to react in midfield as well,” he commented on TNT Sports.
“You know, Wolves are jumping on the first ball, picking up the second ball. It’s a poor goal from a Liverpool point of view to concede, and it’s another late one. It’s happened too many times that they’re conceding these late goals.
“I just think the speed of the reaction from the poor clearance – I’m sure Alisson will want to own up to it – but the reaction’s just too slow.”
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock, though, laid the blame at a different door. He identified the pass to Alisson as the issue.
“It was a mistake from Curtis Jones – he plays a ball into Alisson and Alisson’s never going to get any purchase on it,” Warnock stated on BBC Radio 5 Live.
“Andre looked heavy in the last five or so minutes but he takes a shot and it takes a wicked deflection to loop over Alisson.”
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GOAL!!! Wolves 1-1 Liverpool (Salah, 82) SALAH FINDS THE NET IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE! His first for 122 days. Good time to get it.
GOAL!!! Wolves 1-1 Liverpool (Salah, 82)
SALAH FINDS THE NET IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE! His first for 122 days. Good time to get it.
And this is why Wolves are going doing. Bellegarde plays a horrific pass straight to Salah who runs at Krecji into the box and pokes a clever finish with the outside of his foot.
Straight back to the centre-circle. No time to waste.
Wolves vs Liverpool LIVE! Premier League score, match updates, team news, stream and highlights
Tuesday 3 March 2026 21:57, UK
Second Half: Wolves 1-1 Liverpool
Salah to the rescue as he levels it for Liverpool late at Molineux View post
Rodrigo Gomes scores on the break to give Wolves shock lead View post
Jones and Gakpo somehow failed to force home from a yard out View post
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