‘This league is a joke’ – Fans in disbelief as Liverpool awarded ‘shocking’ penalty as Premier League release statement

THE PREMIER LEAGUE was hit by more referee controversy as fans slammed Liverpool being awarded a penalty as a “hilariously bad decision”. Liverpool star Cody Gakpo was awarded a penalty against Bournemouth in the 28th minute by ref Darren England after he was tripped by Lewis Cook. GettyCody Gakpo won a penalty from an apparent trip from Lewis Cook[/caption] Premier LeagueBut Gakpo appeared to actually trip himself up before referee Darren England awarded a penalty[/caption] VAR then confirmed the decisionPremier League However, some 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 went tumbling to the floor and won a penalty after Cook appeared to trip him up, with England then awarding a penalty to the visitors. But certain replays appeared to show Gakpo clipping himself on his legs before his fall. However, an alternative angle of the incident suggests Cook tripped Gakpo’s left leg which caused him to then clip his right leg and tumble over. 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. CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS “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. TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: STAY UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST MOVES FROM THE JANUARY WINDOW Commentary

Feb 1, 2025 - 17:30

‘This league is a joke’ – Fans in disbelief as Liverpool awarded ‘shocking’ penalty as Premier League release statement

THE PREMIER LEAGUE was hit by more referee controversy as fans slammed Liverpool being awarded a penalty as a “hilariously bad decision”.

Liverpool star Cody Gakpo was awarded a penalty against Bournemouth in the 28th minute by ref Darren England after he was tripped by Lewis Cook.

Cody Gakpo of Liverpool being fouled by Lewis Cook of AFC Bournemouth, resulting in a penalty kick.

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, some 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 went tumbling to the floor and won a penalty after Cook appeared to trip him up, with England then awarding a penalty to the visitors.

But certain replays appeared to show Gakpo clipping himself on his legs before his fall.

However, an alternative angle of the incident suggests Cook tripped Gakpo’s left leg which caused him to then clip his right leg and tumble over.

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.

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“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.