Kai Havertz thought he had opened the scoring inside the first five minutes in Chelsea's pivotal clash against Liverpool with both clubs hoping to thrust themselves back into the Premier League top four conversation.
An early corner by Mason Mount caused chaos in the Liverpool box with Thiago Silva pouncing on the loose ball, poking an effort towards goal that rebounded off the post. Havertz then reacted quickest to prod home from just a few yards out.
Initially the linesman kept his flag down with Graham Potter believing his side had taken a crucial early lead. However, VAR began checking the goal and later deemed that Havertz was offside from Silva's shot.
READ MORE: Reece James sends cryptic Chelsea injury message as Todd Boehly decides seventh January transfer
The reason for the decision being changed appeared unclear but it has now become apparent why the German forward was deemed as being offside despite Silva not seeking to find his team-mate with the shot.
James Milner kept Silva onside for his effort, but with the Brazilian's strike coming back off the post, Havertz's foot was ahead of the ball. If Alisson had saved it, he would have been onside because it wouldn't have counted as a pass.
Although being controversial, Steve McManaman agreed with the decision on commentary. "They [Liverpool] were fortunate though weren’t they, because James Milner played Thiago [Silva] onside but then Thiago [Silva] hitting it against the post has made Kai Havertz offside. It’s the right decision," he said.
READ NEXT:
Graham Potter reveals ambition of new Chelsea signings amid calculated Todd Boehly transfer risk
Every word Graham Potter said on Liverpool vs Chelsea, Klopp, Mudryk, Madueke, James, Chilwell
Graham Potter makes claim on Mykhailo Mudryk debut versus Liverpool amid Noni Madueke transfer
Find the footballs on the Football.London website to win cash prize, vouchers and TV worth £3,000
Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from Stamford Bridge
