Marcos Senesi managed to keep away from warning after what followers dubbed ‘essentially the most blatant handball’ early on as Bournemouth took on Liverpool.
After a heartfelt tribute to the Diogo Jota earlier than kick-off, the Premier League season lastly obtained underway at Anfield on Friday night.
And it took simply 14 minutes for VAR to turn out to be the centre of supporters’ consideration as soon as once more as Cherries centre-half Senesi appeared to disclaim Hugo Ekitike a goalscoring alternative with a deliberate handball.
The incident occurred as Liverpool broke away following a Bournemouth nook, with Mo Salah volleying a by means of ball in the direction of Ekitike.
However with the French No 22 sure to be clear by means of on objective, Senesi – after making an attempt to deliver the ball down along with his knee – made what seemed like a blatant try to cease the ball falling into Ekitike’s path.
Because the striker, Virgil van Dijk and co pleaded with referee Anthony Taylor to ship the Argentine off, the choice was despatched to Stockley Park and the fixture’s VAR officers.
Liverpool gamers had been left aggrieved after Marcos Senesi seemingly dealt with the ball as Hugo Ekitike was by means of on objective
Nevertheless after deliberation, VAR dominated that the handball was unintended because the defender was not answerable for the ball
Nevertheless after deliberation, officers deemed the handball to be unintended – a choice which commentator Jamie Carragher strongly disagreed with.
The previous Liverpool defender argued: ‘The Bournemouth defender dealt with the ball.
‘That is handball. I imply he is aware of precisely what he is doing along with his hand.
‘It is only a response as a defender, however that is handball.’
It was a sentiment echoed by Liverpool supporters on social media, who dubbed VAR a ‘laughing inventory’ for failing to dismiss Senesi.
They posted: ‘PGMOL an absolute laughing inventory simply 13 minutes into the brand new Premier League season as a blatant handball and purple card ignored by VAR, regardless of the entire world watching Bournemouth’s Senesi intentionally deny Ekitike and Liverpool an opportunity to attain.’
‘Beggars perception this hasn’t been given for handball. Senesi enjoying the fallacious sport right here. Liverpool rightfully aggrieved,’ one other wrote.
Whereas yet one more fan argued: ‘quarter-hour into the brand new season and already one of many worst refereeing choices you may consider! Senesi getting away with enjoying basketball!’,
Ekitike nonetheless scored his first league objective for the Reds later within the first half
A number of Liverpool followers took to X, previously generally known as Twitter, to specific their disillusionment on the resolution
‘How has Anthony Taylor missed that??? Blatant handball from Senesi. Ekitike would’ve been by means of’, argued one other.
Whereas one annoyed supporter posted: ‘THAT WAS ONE OF THE MOST BLATANT HANDBALL YOU WILL EVER SEE. HOW DID THEY NOT SEE THIS’.
Ekitike, making his league debut, nonetheless fired dwelling later within the first half to open his account for the Reds within the Premier League.
The Frenchman paid tribute to Diogo Jota as he celebrated, holding up the quantity 20 along with his palms – the quantity which the Portuguese striker wore at Anfield.
