Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has expressed his outrage following a controversial decision in the Premier League opener between Liverpool and Bournemouth. In the 13th minute, Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi appeared to deliberately handle the ball, potentially denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity for Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike. Despite strong appeals from Liverpool players and manager Arne Slot, referee Anthony Taylor awarded a free-kick to Bournemouth for a separate foul, and VAR upheld the decision, stating that the handball was not considered clear and did not constitute denial of a goal-scoring opportunity due to the distance from goal.
Carragher, co-commentating for Sky Sports, was visibly frustrated with the VAR’s assessment. He remarked, “What I’ve just heard from the VAR did not happen,” expressing disbelief that the incident was not deemed a clear handball. He further criticized the VAR’s communication, suggesting that the information relayed to the referee was incorrect.
The Premier League’s Match Centre later clarified that even if a handball had occurred, the distance from the goal meant it did not qualify as denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO), so no red card was warranted.
The incident has sparked widespread debate among fans and pundits alike. Former FIFA referee Keith Hackett has called for changes to VAR protocols, including allowing the public to hear officials’ communications during reviews, to increase transparency and trust in the system.
Despite the controversy, Liverpool went on to win the match 4-2, with Ekitike scoring the opening goal and later assisting in another. The match was also marked by tributes to the late Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, both of whom passed away recently.
This incident raises important questions about the consistency and transparency of VAR decisions in the Premier League, and whether current protocols are sufficient to ensure fair outcomes.()