VAR CONTROVERSY, RACISM INCIDENT, AND HOWARD WEBB’S DECISIVE ACTION OVERSHADOW LIVERPOOL VS BOURNEMOUTH
Liverpool’s thrilling 4-2 victory over Bournemouth was marred by controversy both on and off the pitch, with VAR decisions, a racism incident, and breaking news that Premier League chief refereeing officer Howard Webb has delivered severe consequences to referee Anthony Taylor for critical errors.
The VAR Flashpoint
The primary controversy came in the 63rd minute when Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez appeared to deliberately handle Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross, denying a potential goal-bound shot from Mohamed Salah. Replays broadcast on Sky Sports and shared widely on X showed Kerkez’s arm in an unnatural position, prompting Liverpool players, led by Virgil van Dijk, to demand a penalty and a red card.
Referee Anthony Taylor waved play on, and VAR official Paul Tierney upheld the decision, deeming the contact “accidental” and the arm “natural.” Sky Sports reported that VAR could not intervene as it wasn’t considered a clear denial of a goal-scoring opportunity. Commentator Jamie Carragher erupted live, stating, “I watched every minute of this game… and what I just heard from VAR today never happened! It’s a disgrace!”
Fans on X shared their outrage, with one post calling it “a robbery—Kerkez’s arm was a mile out!” The Premier League’s Match Centre responded, explaining that VAR confirmed no penalty, citing the arm’s “natural position” and accidental contact. Yet, many pointed to the handball rule, which penalizes unnatural arm positions, especially when blocking shots.
Howard Webb Takes Action
Sources, including SportBIBLE, report that Webb, head of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), has taken decisive action against Taylor for this and other errors during the match. Specific penalties remain undisclosed, but suspensions or demotion are possible. Webb’s recent remarks on the Stick to Football podcast highlighted an 80% reduction in VAR errors this season, with only two admitted mistakes in the first seven gameweeks. The Kerkez incident is now flagged as a potential third error.
Other contentious moments included a missed foul in the build-up to one of Bournemouth’s goals, though details remain unconfirmed. Bournemouth fans have also criticized VAR for allegedly favoring Liverpool, claiming a “mysterious” call overlooked a potential foul by Federico Chiesa before his 88th-minute goal. No evidence of corruption exists, but the debate reflects the tension surrounding high-stakes officiating.
The Premier League’s 2025-26 rules—clarifying that more penalties will be awarded for holding but raising the bar for “soft” penalties—may have influenced VAR’s reluctance to overturn Taylor’s call, which was only to be changed if a “clear and obvious” error occurred.
Off-Field Drama: Racism Incident
The match was further tainted by a first-half incident in which Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo reported racist abuse from a Liverpool fan in a wheelchair during a throw-in, prompting a two-minute stoppage. Under new Premier League anti-racism rules, the fan faces a lifetime stadium ban and potential prosecution. Liverpool condemned the incident and pledged full cooperation with authorities.
The emotional weight of the game was heightened by a tribute to Diogo Jota, with a “Jota 20” mosaic and a 20th-minute ovation for his family.
Key Moments on the Pitch
Liverpool’s attacking brilliance shone despite the drama:
- Mohamed Salah’s 44th-minute solo goal equaled Frank Lampard’s 177 Premier League goals.
- Ekitike scored on his debut.
- Cody Gakpo and Federico Chiesa added further goals.
Bournemouth’s Semenyo scored twice, ensuring the visitors remained a threat.
The Takeaway
Webb’s reported action against Taylor sends a powerful message: major officiating errors—intentional or not—will face serious consequences. As the Premier League continues to prioritize integrity and accountability, this match serves as a reminder of both the pressures referees face and the scrutiny they are under in a technology-driven era.
