play0:37Cherki furious after penalty no-callManchester City’s Rayan Cherki goes down under pressure from Milos Kerkez, but isn’t happy to his penalty claims waved off.
play0:34O’Reilly earns City a penalty after Van Dijk foulManchester City’s Nico O’Reilly draws a penalty from Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk.
play0:23Ekitike wins a penalty for LiverpoolHugo Ekitike gets past Matheus Nunes and draws a penalty for Liverpool.
Manchester City vs. Liverpool – Game Highlights (1:10)Watch the Game Highlights from Manchester City vs. Liverpool, 04/04/2026 (1:10)
Cherki furious after penalty no-callManchester City’s Rayan Cherki goes down under pressure from Milos Kerkez, but isn’t happy to his penalty claims waved off.
Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki goes down under pressure from Milos Kerkez, but isn’t happy to his penalty claims waved off.
O’Reilly earns City a penalty after Van Dijk foulManchester City’s Nico O’Reilly draws a penalty from Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk.
Ekitike wins a penalty for LiverpoolHugo Ekitike gets past Matheus Nunes and draws a penalty for Liverpool.
Andy DaviesMultiple AuthorsApr 4, 2026, 11:30 AM ET
Video assistant referee causes controversy every week whether it be the Premier League, Champions League or FA Cup, but how are decisions made and are they correct?
Andy Davies (@andydaviesref) is a former Select Group referee, with over 12 seasons on the elite list, working across the Premier League and Championship. With extensive experience at the elite level, he has operated within the VAR space in the Premier League and offers a unique insight into the processes, rationale and protocols that are delivered on a Premier League matchday.
What happened: City’s Rayan Cherki tries to step around Liverpool defender Milos Kerkez, who made a challenge for the ball. Cherki ended up on the floor as his City teammates demanded a penalty. Pep Guardiola, who was watching the game from the stands due to a touchline ban, looked indignant when TV cameras showed him looking at a replay.
VAR decision: Referee Michael Oliver decided no penalty given, with VAR quickly checking and agreeing. VAR deemed that Kerkez’s challenge was not a foul.
These types of situations can be misread by a referee. However, Oliver was well positioned and judged the incident for what it was.
Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly draws a penalty from Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk.
What happened: Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk challenged Nico O’Reilly in the penalty with the city player ending up on the floor. Referee Michael Oliver did not hesitate and pointed to the penalty spot.
VAR decision: It was a very quick review for VAR Paul Howard. He was happy the on-field decision was correct and cleared the decision.
Hugo Ekitike gets past Matheus Nunes and draws a penalty for Liverpool.
What happened: Man City defender Matheus Nunes caught Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike late with a challenge in the City area. Referee Oliver had a great position and awarded a penalty to Liverpool.
Verdict: This was a very straightforward review for the VAR, and, in truth, he would have known his position in real time as it was such an obvious and unnecessary foul by Nunes. However, a full check process must still be completed utilizing three alternative camera angles to confirm that he was comfortable the on-field decision was correct.
A correct on-field decision by Michael Oliver, and not one that would have tested him too much. The challenge was late, unnecessary and a strange decision by Nunes, as Ekitike was running to the goal line with little danger.
From a VAR perspective, they don’t get simpler than that as an incident review. It was a good afternoon for Oliver and VAR Paul Howard following a week where VAR had had a lot of negative noise — three in four match-going fans in England have opposed VAR in a survey.
Manchester City vs. Liverpool – Game Highlights (1:10)Watch the Game Highlights from Manchester City vs. Liverpool, 04/04/2026 (1:10)
Referee: Michael Oliver VAR: Paul Howard Time: 17 minutes Incident: Possible penalty to Man City
Time: 38 minutes Incident: Penalty awarded to Man City
Time: 38 minutes Incident: Penalty awarded to Liverpool
VAR decision: The on-field decision of a penalty kick was checked and cleared.
The officiating team at Etihad Stadium will be pleased with their work.
Watch the Game Highlights from Manchester City vs. Liverpool, 04/04/2026 (1:10)