Liverpool beat Bournemouth 2-0, but Arsenal fans fueled accusations of bias against the referee, focusing on seemingly innocuous moments and VAR decisions.
Liverpool secured a 2-0 victory over Bournemouth in a match that, surprisingly, lacked any major controversies. However, this didn't stop Arsenal fans from accusing the referee of bias. When cameras caught Darren England sharing a lighthearted moment with Mohamed Salah before the second half, instead of appreciating the camaraderie between professionals under immense pressure, some Arsenal supporters immediately saw foul play.
They fixated on a seemingly innocuous interaction, overlooking the context of the match.Liverpool had already taken a 1-0 lead thanks to a penalty awarded to Salah after Lewis Cook was deemed to have tripped Cody Gakpo. Bournemouth was denied an equalizer in the first half when VAR ruled Milos Kerkez offside during the build-up to David Brooks' shot. The Premier League Match Centre, a verified account known for providing reliable information from match officials, confirmed that both decisions were correct, as is usually the case. Yet, a wave of outrage swept social media, with accusations of favoritism towards Liverpool. Gakpo's offside position, even if minutely judged, became a focal point for those eager to find fault.Adding fuel to the fire, Arsenal fans also pointed to Mac Allister not receiving a second yellow card for a challenge that went unnoticed by the officials, and Alexander-Arnold escaping a penalty for handball when the ball struck his chest. The sense of injustice amplified due to the match not being televised in the UK, creating an echo chamber for grievances. This further fuelled the narrative that any decision against Arsenal, even if justified, was a part of a grand conspiracy. It's a familiar pattern for the Gunners, where perceived injustices are magnified, often regardless of the factual accuracy.Despite Liverpool winning 11 of their last 12 against Bournemouth, the game presented a challenge. Bournemouth, under the guidance of Andoni Iraola, has been formidable since November 23, remaining unbeaten and collecting 25 points, second only to Nottingham Forest. Their attacking prowess was evident in the match, with Semenyo striking the post and bar and forcing several saves from Alisson, while Kluivert inexplicably missed the target after Tavernier's shot came off the woodwork.Salah, with his second goal of the game and his 21st in the Premier League this season, moved into sixth place on the all-time goalscoring list, surpassing Frank Lampard. His goal was a textbook example of his attacking prowess, curling a left-footed shot into the far corner past Kepa Arrizabalaga. However, the celebrations were sure to be met with skepticism from the ever-vocal Arsenal fanbase, who would likely argue that VAR had unduly influenced the outcome of the match
Liverpool Bournemouth Premier League VAR Controversy Referee Arsenal Salah Gakpo Kerkez Mac Allister Alexander-Arnold
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