MORE referee controversy was sparked at the Vitality Stadium as Darren England was slammed for a “hilariously bad decision”.
Liverpool star Cody Gakpo won a penalty against Bournemouth in the 28th minute after he was tripped by Lewis Cook.
Cody Gakpo won a penalty from an apparent trip from Lewis Cook[/caption]
But Gakpo appeared to actually trip himself up before referee Darren England awarded a penalty[/caption]
However, replays appeared to show the Dutchman had actually clipped his own legs before going down in the area.
Gakpo had managed to make an incisive run cutting open the Cherries’ defence when he was played in behind.
Cook then tried to recover but was always behind the Reds attacker.
The 25-year-old was then suddenly sent tumbling to the floor and won a penalty after Cooko appeared to trip him up, with England then awarding a penalty to the visitors.
But replays appeared to show Gakpo clipping himself on his legs before his fall.
The decision was checked by VAR official John Brooks and Assistant VAR, Dan Cook, before the on-field decision was upheld following a foul check and offside check.
The Premier League Match Centre released a statement on the call saying: “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.”
Mohamed Salah converted the subsequent penalty to put the league leaders 1-0 ahead against the run of play.
But fans raged at the call on social media, with one saying: “That is an absolutely hilariously bad decision, every week we have to deal with horrible officiating Cody Gakpo trips himself, it’s never a penalty.”
A second said: “That is a pen because Gakpo tripped himself?”
A third added: “What’s the point of having VAR if they’re not going to see Gakpo clipping his own feet to go down for the penalty?”
Another said: “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.”
A fifth said: “Definitely need to see a better angle of that Liverpool penalty because this one it looks like Gakpo trips himself.”
A sixth said: “How was this a penalty for Cody Gakpo’s clear dive???”
Bournemouth did manage to score in the 38th minute, but the goal was ruled out for offside against Milos Kerkez.
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