Premier League issue Liverpool statement as Reds breathe sigh of relief

Liverpool were left thanking VAR John Brooks after he ruled out an equaliser for Bournemouth in their Premier League clash on the South Coast, with the Reds ahead through Mo Salah's penalty

The Premier League have issued a statement after Bournemouth saw an equaliser be disallowed by VAR during their clash with Liverpool.

The Cherries had fallen behind to Mo Salah's penalty, with VAR John Brooks also involved in the decision to award the spot-kick when Cody Gakpo was tripped. Soon after that opener, David Brooks smashed in a superb finish for what he thought was the equaliser.

But the celebrations were brought to a halt when the assistant referee raised his flag to signal Milos Kerkez had strayed offside before sending in a cross to Brooks. The VAR checked the decision and found that Kerkez was comfortably offside, with the Premier League then confirming that decision.

A statement read: "The referee’s call of no goal was checked and confirmed by VAR – with Kerkez in an offside position in the build-up."

While Liverpool almost threw away their lead, the visitors were praised for their professional performance by former Chelsea star Pat Nevin. The pundit also urged Bournemouth to do more to bring Justin Kluivert into the game.

"The game-management has been phenomenal from Liverpool. It's been a really good game and it's being played at a good pace," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"You cannot read it from here on in. It could go either way. I am thinking of Justin Kluivert, we have hardly mentioned his name. Bournemouth need to get him into the game."

VAR Brooks was key in the decision to award a penalty to Liverpool. First, he had to confirm that Gakpo had been tripped, before then checking he had been onside in the build-up.

A Premier League statement read: "The referee’s call of penalty was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the challenge deemed to have been a trip by Cook on Gakpo. The VAR also confirmed Gakpo was onside in the build-up."

Salah stepped up to score, for what was his 20th goal of the season in the Premier League. The spot-kick took him to 177 strikes in the top-flight, level with Frank Lampard in sixth place in the Premier League top goalscorers.

But the Bournemouth fans were left fuming with the decision, and could be heard chanting "1-0 to the referee". Salah's penalty was an emphatic one, with the Egyptian duly being hailed by former Wales international Ashley Williams.

He told Final Score: "Salah didn't look that confident, weirdly. What a penalty though. He just smashes it into the corner. I think Liverpool will now go and dominate this game."

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

Sky Sports deal

Sky Sports launches discounted Premier League package
£35 (was £43)

Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves £192 and includes 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.

Sky
Get the deal here