However, the match was overshadowed by a shocking VAR controversy, a racism incident, and breaking news that Premier League chief refereeing officer Howard Webb has delivered severe consequences to referee Anthony Taylor for critical errors that could have altered the game’s outcome.
Bournemouth fans, meanwhile, are livid, claiming VAR made “mysterious calls no one saw coming,” fueling accusations of bias and inconsistency, though no evidence supports claims of corruption.
The primary controversy centered on a 63rd-minute incident when Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez appeared to deliberately handle Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross, blocking a potential goal-bound shot from Salah.
Replays, broadcast on Sky Sports and shared widely on X, showed Kerkez’s arm in an unnatural position, prompting Liverpool players, led by Virgil van Dijk, to demand a penalty and a possible red card for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
Taylor waved play on, and VAR official Paul Tierney upheld the decision, deeming the contact “accidental” and the arm “natural.” Sky Sports reported that VAR couldn’t intervene as it wasn’t deemed a clear denial of a goal-scoring opportunity, but Jamie Carragher, commentating live, erupted, stating, “I watched every minute of this game… and what I just heard from VAR today never happened! It’s a disgrace!”
Fans on X echoed this, with one post calling it “a robbery—Kerkez’s arm was a mile out!” The Premier League’s Match Centre X account explained, “VAR checked and confirmed no penalty—arm in natural position, contact deemed accidental,” but the decision sparked outrage, with many citing the Premier League’s handball rule, which penalizes unnatural arm positions, especially when blocking shots.
According to sources like SportBIBLE, Webb, head of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), has reportedly taken decisive action against Taylor for this and other errors in the match, though specific details of the penalties remain undisclosed.
The decision wasn’t made lightly, as Taylor, a seasoned official, faces serious repercussions, potentially including a suspension or demotion, given Webb’s push for accountability, as seen in his handling of past VAR errors.
Webb’s recent comments on the Stick to Football podcast emphasized an 80% reduction in VAR errors this season, with only two admitted mistakes in the first seven gameweeks, but the Kerkez incident has been flagged as a potential third, drawing comparisons to a wrongly disallowed Bournemouth goal against Newcastle earlier this season. The errors in question also include a missed call on a possible foul in the build-up to one of Bournemouth’s goals, though specifics are unconfirmed.
Bournemouth fans, however, are equally furious, arguing VAR’s decisions favored Liverpool. Posts on X claim a “mysterious” call overlooked a potential foul by Liverpool’s Federico Chiesa before his 88th-minute goal, with one user stating, “VAR’s picking and choosing to help Liverpool—it’s a fix!” No conclusive evidence supports these claims, and suggestions of referee corruption lack substantiation, though the sentiment reflects the heated atmosphere.
The Premier League’s 2025-26 rules, which Webb clarified would see more penalties for holding but a higher bar for “soft” penalties, may have influenced the Kerkez decision, as VAR was instructed to avoid overturning unless errors are “clear and obvious.”
The match was further tainted by a first-half incident when Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo reported racist abuse from a Liverpool fan in a wheelchair during a throw-in, prompting a two-minute stoppage.
Under the Premier League’s new anti-racism rules, the fan faces a lifetime stadium ban and potential prosecution. Liverpool condemned the incident, pledging cooperation with authorities. The game’s emotional weight stemmed from a tribute to Diogo Jota, with a “Jota 20” mosaic and a 20th-minute ovation for his family.
Salah’s 44th-minute solo goal, equaling Frank Lampard’s 177 Premier League goals, and Ekitike’s debut strike, alongside goals from Cody Gakpo and Chiesa, secured the win despite Semenyo’s brace for Bournemouth.
Webb’s reported action against Taylor serves as a stark warning to officials, reinforcing that major errors, intentional or not, will face severe consequences in the Premier League’s ongoing battle for officiating integrity.
