The Premier League match centre have released a statement explaining why Liverpool were given a controversial penalty against Bournemouth.

Cody Gakpo was adjudged to have been fouled by Lewis Cook inside the area as he bore down on goal, though the hosts protested that minimal contact was made between the two players.

However, after a lengthy VAR check, Darren England's on-field decision was confirmed and after the referee pointed to the spot, Mohamed Salah stepped up.

Kepa Arrizabalaga was powerless to stop the Reds' talisman from bagging his 177th league goal, moving himself level with Frank Lampard in the all-time standings.

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The Premier League have moved to explain why a penalty was awarded, with Cook and Gakpo both vying for the ball as it was played over the top.

Their statement read: "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."

Replays showed that Cook, deputising at right-back, did make contact with Gakpo's leg but both players were looking at the ball at the time.

The league were forced to issue a second statement in the first half when Bournemouth thought that they had equalised through David Brooks.

However, left-back Milos Kerkez was adjudged to have been offside in the build-up.

A second message on the match centre account read: "The referee’s call of no goal was checked and confirmed by VAR – with Kerkez in an offside position in the build-up."

The visitors found themselves relieved not to have gone a goal down early when Antoine Semenyo, who thrived in one-on-ones with Trent Alexander-Arnold, hit the post.

Salah's goal calmed the nerves as Dominik Szoboszlai hit the post with Liverpool's best chance of the half prior to their Egyptian forward netting from 12 yards.

Victory over Bournemouth would move Arne Slot's side nine points clear at the top of the table, with Nottingham Forest now level with Arsenal after their 7-0 thumping of Brighton earlier in the day.


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