Premier League issues statement following contentious VAR decision in Bournemouth vs. Liverpool match.

The Premier League released a statement following a controversial penalty awarded during Liverpool’s match against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday.

Arne Slot’s side entered the match as league leaders but faced a formidable Bournemouth team that had just claimed an impressive 5-0 victory over Nottingham Forest the week before.

The game started at a fast pace, with both teams evenly matched until the 27th minute, when Cody Gakpo was judged to have been fouled by Bournemouth’s Lewis Cook.

Both players were racing toward a bouncing ball when Gakpo, 25, went down after contact from Cook, 27. However, replays seemed to show that the Dutch forward may have made more contact with his own leg than with the Bournemouth defender.

Despite protests from Bournemouth’s players and supporters, the penalty stood, and Mohamed Salah converted it to give Liverpool the advantage.

Shortly after, the Premier League commented on the decision through their Match Centre X account, stating:

“The referee’s decision to award a penalty was reviewed and upheld by VAR, which determined that Cook’s challenge on Gakpo constituted a trip. VAR also confirmed Gakpo was onside in the build-up.”

Fans on social media quickly shared their reactions, with many expressing disbelief.

One fan wrote: “Unbelievable decision.”

Another remarked: “Gakpo took himself down to win Liverpool a penalty.”

A third added: “Are the officials wearing Liverpool shirts under their kits? That was never a penalty.”

Others raised concerns about VAR, with one saying: “What’s the point of VAR if they can’t slow it down and see that Gakpo tripped himself?”

Another fan was shocked: “How on Earth is that a penalty? Wow.”

One user criticized the officiating: “If referees are going to make calls like this for Liverpool, they might as well hand them the title now.”

Some suggested that a different angle might explain the decision: “We need to see a better angle because from this one, it looks like Gakpo tripped himself. Bournemouth players didn’t protest much, so maybe another angle shows it was actually a foul.”

As things currently stand, Liverpool is poised to go nine points clear at the top of the Premier League.