Premier League explain Liverpool penalty decision at Bournemouth which split opinion

The Premier League have explained the decision to uphold a Liverpool penalty after fans were split on the decision.

Following a foul on Cody Gakpo by Lewis Cook, Liverpool were awarded a first-half penalty which Mohamed Salah coolly converted.

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Gakpo felt that he was fouled by Lewis Cook which resulted in a penalty[/caption]

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Gakpo chased down Cook before the incident occurred[/caption]

Cook appeared to have clipped Gakpo’s legs and after a VAR check, they stuck with the decision, giving Salah the opportunity to open the scoring at the Vitality Stadium.

After the incident, the Premier League Match Centre posted online to clarify the incident.

It wrote: “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.”

Reporting on the game for talkSPORT, chief football correspondent Alex Crook was certain the decision was correct after seeing every angle.

Bournemouth fans did not agree – and Crook said: “We know it’s a penalty. Why can’t we show them a replay so they know too?

“Wouldn’t that ease some of the vitriol aimed at officials?”

It comes after Michael Oliver was sent threats for sending off Arsenal defender Myles Lewis-Skelly at Wolves last Saturday – a controversial decision which has since been reversed.

The Liverpool penalty decision also caused a stir online as some believed that Gakpo clipped his own ankle rather than Cook.

Many took to social media to share their frustration at the decision.

“That’s not a penalty. Gakpo trips himself and goes down. If refs are going to give decisions like this in favour of Liverpool might as well hand them the title straightaway,” one user wrote.

Another shared: “Definitely need to see a better angle of that Liverpool penalty because this one it looks like Gakpo trips himself. Bournemouth players didn’t complain much though so I assume another angle confirms it was a foul”.

“What is the essence of having VAR if Liverpool can get a penalty for this!” a third added.

A final user penned: “The softest of penalties. Absolutely no way that’s given to anyone other than Liverpool.”

Salah later doubled the lead for his 20th Premier League goal of the season.

It is his fifth 20+ goal season in the competition, something that only Alan Shearer (seven times), Thierry Henry (five), Sergio Aguero (six) and Harry Kane (six) have achieved previously.

Top scoring Premier League players of all-time

The Egypt international has now overtaken Frank Lampard (177) in the all-time Premier League goalscoring charts.