The match, already heavy with sentiment due to a poignant tribute to the late Diogo Jota, was rocked by a contentious moment in the second half when a clear handball by a Bournemouth player was inexplicably waved away by referee Anthony Taylor, even after a VAR review, denying Liverpool what many argue was a deserved penalty and potentially a red card.
The incident occurred in the 63rd minute, with the score still deadlocked at 0-0. Liverpool, pushing for an opening goal, saw a dangerous move develop as Trent Alexander-Arnold whipped a cross into Bournemouth’s penalty area. The ball struck the outstretched arm of Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez, who appeared to deliberately block a potential goal-bound effort from Mohamed Salah. Replays, widely circulated on X and shown on Sky Sports, clearly showed Kerkez’s arm extended unnaturally, with the ball making contact and halting Liverpool’s attack. The Anfield crowd erupted in protest, and Liverpool players, led by captain Virgil van Dijk, surrounded Taylor, demanding a penalty. Some players also signaled for a red card, arguing the handball denied a clear goal-scoring opportunity. To the astonishment of the 60,000-strong crowd, Taylor dismissed the appeals, and VAR official Paul Tierney, after a brief review, upheld the no-call, deeming the handball neither deliberate nor penalty-worthy.
The decision sparked immediate outrage. Fans on X flooded the platform with reactions, one calling it “a robbery in plain sight—Kerkez’s arm was practically a goalkeeper’s save!” Another posted, “VAR is broken. That’s a penalty and a red card any day of the week.” Pundits echoed the sentiment, with Jamie Carragher tweeting, “I’ve seen softer handballs given. VAR’s meant to fix these, not ignore them.”
The Premier League’s handball rule, which penalizes unnatural arm positions or deliberate actions that block shots, seemed to support Liverpool’s case, especially as Kerkez’s arm moved toward the ball. The potential red card for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity further fueled the debate, with Bournemouth potentially fortunate to keep 11 players on the pitch.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot, speaking briefly during a halftime interview, was cautious but pointed: “We’ve seen the replay—it’s a tough one to take. We’re fighting for every decision, but we’ll keep playing for Diogo and the fans.” Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola, meanwhile, suggested the contact was “accidental,” though replays suggested intent, showing Kerkez’s arm shifting to intercept the ball. The controversy has reignited discussions about VAR’s consistency, with fans referencing a 2024-25 season where Liverpool faced multiple disputed calls, including a handball penalty awarded against Arsenal for a less obvious infraction.
The match itself, still ongoing, has been a tightly contested affair, with Liverpool dominating possession but struggling to break down Bournemouth’s resolute defense.
Mohamed Salah and Luis Díaz have come closest, with Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto making two crucial saves. Bournemouth, meanwhile, have threatened on the counter, with Dominic Solanke forcing Alisson into a diving stop. The emotional backdrop of the game adds to the intensity, as Liverpool honor Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away in July alongside his brother André Silva.
A minute’s silence before kickoff, black armbands, and a stunning fan-led mosaic spelling “Jota 20” across The Kop and Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand set a somber yet inspiring tone. The “Forever 20” emblem adorns Liverpool’s kits, and Jota’s wife, Rute, and their three children, present in the Main Stand, were met with a 20th-minute standing ovation that brought tears to many.
As the game continues, the VAR decision remains the focal point, with the Premier League’s Match Centre X account offering a terse explanation: “VAR checked and confirmed no penalty—arm in natural position, contact deemed accidental.”
This has done little to calm fans, who point to the 2024-25 season’s 18 VAR errors, three involving Liverpool, as evidence of systemic issues. The denied call could prove pivotal in a match where every moment counts, and with the score still 0-0, the controversy may yet shape the outcome of this emotionally charged opener
