Jamie Carragher said referee Anthony Taylor was given a version of events that “did not happen” when Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi escaped a potential red card against Liverpool in the Premier League at Anfield.
New Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike would have broken clear from the centre circle but for an intervention by last man back Senesi that appeared to be made with the centre-back’s hand.
VAR says no, but @Carra23 was convinced that was handball 🧐 pic.twitter.com/kS8hOEwn7s
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 15, 2025
Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Michael Oliver appeared to advise Taylor that the ball had initially come off Senesi’s leg, preventing him from being able to stop himself handballing.
“He realises he’s got a massive problem and moves his hand towards the ball,” said Carragher. “What I just heard from the VAR did not happen.”
Liverpool vs Bournemouth: Ekitike goal
Ekitike would have had to run the length of Bournemouth’s half and beat goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic but Senesi could well have been sent off had the decision gone against him.
“I don’t like seeing people sent off and the debate would have been how far away he was from goal,” said Carragher. “The referee has been given the wrong information.”
Ekitike had his revenge with the opener in the 37th minute, collecting Alexis Mac Allister’s pass and playing the ball through Senesi before striking the opening goal right-footed from inside the box.
Bournemouth had looked likelier to score at that point, although Mohamed Salah had a curling early effort tipped over the crossbar by Petrovic and sent in a cross that Virgil van Dijk headed over to manager Arne Slot’s visible annoyance.
Ekitike: ‘Two big Liverpool chances, two goals’
“What a start he’s had to his liverpool career,” said Carragher, discussing the £69 million signing who also scored after four minutes of Liverpool’s Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace on Sunday.
“It’s a lovely pass from Alexis Mac Allister. Ekitike gets a little bit of luck. He’s had two big chances in a Liverpool shirt and he’s scored two goals.
“Liverpool needed that. Bournemouth have been excellent but they find themselves behind.”
Liverpool team vs Bournemouth
A host of signings made their Premier League debuts in the opening game of the 2025/26 season.
Alongside Ekitike, midfielder Florian Wirtz was among the new faces after joining the Reds from Bayer Leverkusen for a fee that could rise to a British-record £116 million.
Left-back Milos Kerkez joined for £40m from Bournemouth and right-back Jeremie Frimpong signed from Leverkusen for £29.5m.
Joe Gomez was out for Liverpool with a minor fitness issue, as was fellow defender Conor Bradley with a hamstring problem.
Midfielder Mac Allister started despite suffering from a lack of minutes while recovering from injury during pre-season, but Ryan Gravenberch was suspended.
Liverpool starting XI: Alisson, Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Gakpo, Salah, Ekitike
Liverpool substitutes: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Endo, Chiesa, Jones, Elliott, Robertson, Nyoni, Ngumoha
Bournemouth team vs Liverpool
Bournemouth gave bows to Petrovic, left-back Adrien Truffert and Bafode Diakite, a centre-back who arrived this week from Lille for a fee that could rise to more than £34m.
Petrovic, who joined from Chelsea for £25m in July, saved a penalty in a 0-0 friendly draw against Real Sociedad last week.
Diakite is Bournemouth’s second-most expensive ever signing, following the £40.2m paid to Porto for forward Evanilson in 2024.
Dango Ouattara was not involved as Brentford pursue a move for the Burkina Faso international.
Another of Iraola’s wide players, Luis Sinisterra, was also absent because of uncertainty over his future, and midfielder Lewis Cook was suspended and has an injury that could keep him out for two games.
Forward Justin Kluivert had a calf issue and midfielder Ryan Christie was yet to return to full fitness.
Enes Unal was recovering from a serious knee injury the striker sustained in January.
Bournemouth starting XI: Petrovic, Smith, Senesi, Diakite, Truffert, Adams, Scott, Tavernier, Semenyo, Evanilson, Kroupi
Bournemouth substitutes: Dennis, Araujo, Soler, Kroupi, Hill, Traore, Billing, Winterburn, Rees-Dottin
How to watch Liverpool vs Bournemouth: Live stream, TV channel
Kick-off on Friday was at 20:00 BST (15:00 ET / 12:00 PT), with live coverage in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event, Premier League and Ultra.
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