Liverpool’s Controversial Penalty Against Bournemouth Sparks Debate
In the 30th minute at the Vitality Stadium, referee Darren England awarded Liverpool a penalty after Cody Gakpo went down in the box, ruling that Lewis Cook had clipped him.
The decision immediately stirred debate, with one camera angle suggesting Gakpo may have tripped himself, while another appeared to show contact from Cook. Despite the differing perspectives, VAR upheld the call, and Mohamed Salah stepped up to score, marking his 20th Premier League goal of the season.
Mike Dean Backs the Referee’s Decision
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday, former Premier League referee Mike Dean supported the decision, stating at 15:28, “There’s definitely a clip there.”
Bournemouth Fans Furious as Salah Converts
Bournemouth supporters at the Vitality Stadium voiced their frustration, chanting “1-0 to the referee” after Salah confidently sent the penalty past Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Journalists Paul Gorst and Ian Doyle from Liverpool Echo felt the decision was generous, with replays offering some support for that view. However, Cook’s lack of protest suggested that he may have accepted the referee’s call rather than disputing it.
Salah’s Redemption
Despite the controversy, Salah handled the pressure, especially given his missed penalty in Liverpool’s 1-0 loss to Bournemouth in March 2023. This time, he made no mistake, giving Liverpool a crucial lead.
With the match still ongoing, the Reds aimed to secure three valuable points on the south coast.
