Liverpool started off their 2025-26 Premier League season with a bang as they managed to beat Bournemouth 4-2 in their opening game of the campaign.

However, there was a moment where the ball came off Marcos Sensi’s thigh and went into his hand, which VAR deemed to be an accidental handball.

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However, on the replays shown, it was clear that the defender moved his hand to try to keep the ball from bouncing away from him.

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And, while live on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch, former referee Dermot Gallagher and ex-Premier League player Jay Bothroyd gave their thoughts on the situation.

“To me that’s rubbish [that Sensi’s handball wasn’t a clear and obvious offence], if you’re talking about the one with his elbow, that could be seen as accidental,” Bothroyd said.

“But the one where he’s reached for the ball and touched the ball with his hand, you see that the ball has come away from his hand, so obviously he’s touched it, that’s the one where he’s clearly gone for the ball, and that’s why it should be a red card.”

To which former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher replied: “I think they’re just repeating what VAR said because the VAR cleared it, I was watching the game and VAR said ‘it’s not a handball offence because it’s come off his thigh onto his elbow’ which is never going to be hand ball, but he hasn’t looked for the swipe.

“I think he clearly looked at it too quickly.”

If Liverpool don’t end up coming away with the Premier League title this term, it’ll be a massive failure on their behalf.

Indeed, it’s still early days, and the new players still need time to gel with one another, but, with their Champions League campaign just around the corner, they must ensure they’re the best team on the pitch for each game.