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Marcos Senesi escaped a sending off early during Liverpool vs Bournemouth for an apparent handball(Image: Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Former head of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) Keith Hackett says Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi should have been sent off against Liverpool.

He believes Hugo Ekitike was denied a goal scoring opportunity because of an intentional handball.

The incident occurred in the 13th minute of Liverpool's league curtain-raiser on Friday night with the scoreline still goalless.



Replays suggested the further use of an outstretched hand that directed the ball out of the path of Ekitike, who would have had a clear run at Djordje Petrovic's goal.

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On-field referee Anthony Taylor gave a free-kick against Ekitike and the decision was settled by VAR Michael Oliver.

The Premier League Match Centre account on X released the following clarification: "The referee’s call of no red card to Senesi was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the action deemed not to be a clear handball offence nor denial of a goal scoring opportunity (DOGSO), due to the distance from goal."

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But like the Liverpool players who protested in the moment, former referee chief Hackett disagreed with the call.

In his own post to X, Hackett responded: "The Bournemouth player clearly handled the ball denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity.

This is a red card offence not applied in the Liverpool v Bournemouth opener."

The officials' decision not to punish Senesi for the incident would end up having no bearing on the result at Anfield as Ekitike would go on to open the scoring in the first half.

Cody Gakpo doubled the Reds' lead after the break before an Antoine Semenyo double brought Andoni Iraola's men back level.

Liverpool finished strongly as goals from Federico Chiesa and Salah ensured a 4-2 victory for the hosts.

Also critical of the fact Senesi escaped a sending off were Jamie Carragher, Gary Neville and Alan Shearer.

While on commentary duty for Sky Sports, Carragher said: "I mean, he knows exactly what he is doing.

I say this a lot in games: I don't like people sent off.