Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi escaped punishment in the opening minutes of the Cherries' Premier League opener against Liverpool, leaving commentator Jamie Carragher furious.

Senesi appeared to stick an arm out after the ball bounced off his body, preventing Hugo Ekitike getting a run at goal.

Referee Anthony Taylor gave nothing in real time and the video assistant referee was called in to look at the incident.



"Blatant handball from Senesi, Ekitike would have been through.," wrote one.

Liverpool v Bournemouth live: VAR handball controversy at Anfield as Premier League season begins	Every Premier League rule change for Liverpool vs Bournemouth as new VAR process explained	Liverpool 0-0 Bournemouth LIVE: Senesi avoids red card after VAR check as Slot left raging in Premier League opener

"Even if it’s at the halfway line, that’s surely got to be a red card," another argued.

Senesi hardly did it discreetly."

Ahead of the season, the Premier League reinforced the message that there would be a high bar for VAR interventions.

"'Referee’s Call'' was introduced last season as the match official in the middle, who can feel and read the game, is best placed to make the ultimate decision," the league said.

This helped to reduce the VAR delays from an average of 64 seconds to 39 seconds per match last season."

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