VAR CONTROVERSY: Premier League release statement given reason why they denied Fulham penalty Liverpool against after Andreas Pereira and Rodrigo Muniz incident in the match

Although the VAR reviewed the incident, the Premier League has provided clarification as to why Fulham was denied a penalty in the early phases of their dramatic 3-2 victory over Liverpool at Craven Cottage.

Andreas Pereira dispossessed Ibrahima Konate within the Liverpool penalty area in the fifth minute by pressing high. Caoimhin Kelleher, the Liverpool custodian, collided with the Fulham midfielder as Pereira attempted to transfer the ball to Rodrigo Muniz by falling to the ground.

Subsequently, Muniz collided with Virgil van Dijk, which elicited strident protests from the host team.

Nevertheless, referee Chris Kavanagh permitted play to continue, and the VAR subsequently confirmed the on-field decision following a review.

The Premier League Match Centre subsequently clarified in a statement posted to social media that the referee’s decision to not award a penalty to Fulham following a challenge by Kelleher on Pereira was verified and verified by VAR. The VAR determined that the action was a meeting together rather than a reckless one.

The incident between van Dijk and Muniz was also reviewed and resolved by the VAR.

The decision caused a rift between pundits and admirers. A significant number of Fulham supporters expressed their frustration online, querying how a challenge of this magnitude could be dismissed as a mere “coming together.”

One fan expressed their dissatisfaction by stating, “A coming together is hilarious – he’s dived at his feet and tripped him up.”

Another individual commented, “If an outfield player makes a challenge of this nature and fails to hit the ball, it is a foul every time.”

Clinton Morrison, a former Premier League striker, spoke on BBC Radio 5 Live and criticised Liverpool’s defending in the lead-up to the match. However, he also acknowledged that the incident involving Van Dijk and Muniz was unlikely to be awarded as a penalty.

“Andreas Pereira executes an adept pass to Rodrigo Muniz, but the ball evades him and he collides with Virgil van Dijk.” Morrison stated, “That will not be a penalty, but Liverpool are still extremely fortunate.”

Fulham’s response to Alexis MacAllister’s thunderous 14th-minute strike was exceptional, despite the initial controversy.

The game was turned on its head by goals from Ryan Sessegnon, Alex Iwobi, and Muniz in a scintillating 14-minute period before the interval, giving Marco Silva’s team a 3-1 lead.

Liverpool’s Luis Diaz scored a goal in the second half, but Fulham secured a historic victory in front of 27,770 spectators at Craven Cottage.

Liverpool’s sole defeat in the Premier League this season was a significant surprise.

Arsenal remains 11 points behind Arne Slot’s team at the summit of the table, despite their Sunday defeat.

In order to secure their second title of the Premier League era, the Reds require only 11 points from their final seven fixtures.