The VAR decision, which denied Liverpool a clear penalty for a handball, drew scathing criticism from Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher, who blasted officials, claiming, “I watched every minute of this game… and what I just heard from VAR today never happened!” Meanwhile, the match was briefly halted after a Liverpool fan allegedly made racist remarks toward Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, highlighting the Premier League’s new severe anti-racism measures.
The VAR controversy erupted in the 63rd minute with the score at 1-0, courtesy of Ekitike’s stunning solo goal in the 40th minute, where he dribbled past Bournemouth’s entire defense—Milos Kerkez, Marcos Senesi, and Illia Zabarnyi—before slotting past goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic.
The incident in question saw Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross strike Kerkez’s outstretched arm, clearly blocking a potential goal-bound effort from Mohamed Salah. Replays, widely shared on X and broadcast on Sky Sports, showed Kerkez’s arm in an unnatural position, with the ball making deliberate contact. Liverpool players, led by Virgil van Dijk, appealed for a penalty and a possible red card for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
Referee Anthony Taylor waved play on, and VAR official Paul Tierney, after a brief review, upheld the decision, deeming the contact “accidental” and the arm “natural.” The Premier League’s Match Centre X account stated, “VAR checked and confirmed no penalty—arm in natural position, contact deemed accidental,” prompting widespread outrage.
Carragher, commentating live, was incandescent, declaring, “That’s one of the clearest handballs you’ll see! Kerkez’s arm is out like a wing, stopping a shot.
I watched every minute of this game, and what I just heard from VAR today never happened! It’s embarrassing for the officials.” Fans echoed his fury on X, with one post reading, “Carragher’s spot on—VAR’s made a mockery of the game. That’s a penalty and a red!” Another user wrote, “Kerkez got away with a blatant handball. Premier League refs are a shambles.”
The decision reignited debates about the Premier League’s handball rule, which penalizes unnatural arm positions or deliberate actions, especially when blocking shots. Critics noted the 2024-25 season’s 18 VAR errors, three involving Liverpool, and pointed to a similar incident in February 2025 where Liverpool were awarded a penalty against Bournemouth for a less obvious foul.
Adding to the drama, the match was paused in the 28th minute when Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo reported racist abuse from a Liverpool fan in a wheelchair during a throw-in near the Main Stand. Semenyo alerted Taylor, who halted play for two minutes to consult with managers Arne Slot and Andoni Iraola and the captains.
Sky Sports reported Semenyo’s distress, with Iraola offering support. Liverpool condemned the incident, pledging a full investigation, per Athlon Sports. Under the Premier League’s new 2025-26 anti-racism rules, the fan faces a lifetime stadium ban, ejection from Anfield, and potential criminal prosecution, reflecting the league’s zero-tolerance stance, which also includes club fines or points deductions for repeated fan misconduct.
The match carries emotional weight due to a tribute to Diogo Jota, who passed away in July. A minute’s silence, black armbands, and a “Jota 20” mosaic across The Kop, alongside a 20th-minute ovation for Jota’s family, set a poignant tone.
As the game continues, Liverpool press for a second goal, with Salah and Luis Díaz testing Petrovic, while Bournemouth’s Solanke threatens on the counter. Carragher’s outburst, the racism incident, and the VAR debacle ensure this match will be remembered for far more than Ekitike’s brilliance, with the outcome still hanging in the balance at 1-0.
