Why Chris Kavanagh allowed Man Utd goal to stand just three days after ruling out Virgil van Dijk header for Liverpool

VAR threatened to ruin the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.

Indeed, Virgil van Dijk’s 60th minute opener was chalked off after Wataru Endo came from an offside position and was adjudged to impact Levi Colwill's ability to play or challenge for the ball.

This decision was another matter of subjectivity and personal opinion. Whilst it seemed unlikely that Colwill would have been unable to impact the play, it ultimately came down to the opinion of referee Chris Kavanagh, who, after checking the monitor, decided the goal didn't count.

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No matter, Van Dijk struck again in the last minute of extra time to win the game - and cup - for the Reds.

Yet, Liverpool supporters would be forgiven for airing their frustrations when last night Casemiro nabbed a last minute winner against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup fifth round, setting up a tasty quarter final clash between Manchester United and the Reds.

His header shared one blatant similarity with Van Dijk’s disallowed effort from the weekend - when Raphael Varane blocked Forest defender Felipe, in a particularly similar style to Endo.

Considering Kavanagh was in charge of both games, which were just three days apart, it asks the question as to why the official came to two different outcomes.

The law states: “if a player moving from, or standing, an offside position is in the way of an opponent and interferes with the movement of the opponent towards the ball, this is an offside offence if it impacts on the ability of the opponent to play or challenge for the ball.”

Therefore the decision at the weekend comes down to if Colwill had a