Premier League release statement over double Liverpool VAR penalty controversy at Fulham
The home side had two decisions reviewed early in the game at Craven Cottage
The Premier League has explained why Liverpool did not concede a penalty early on in their clash at Fulham on Sunday afternoon.
The Cottagers had two shouts for a spot kick turned away in the opening minutes after a mistake from Ibrahima Konate inside his own area gifted Andreas Pereira possession.
Pereira first collided with Caoimhin Kelleher after attempting to take the ball around the Reds goalkeeper, and then Rodrigo Muniz ran into Virgil van Dijk as the Fulham striker sought to pounce on the rebound.
However, referee Chris Kavanagh saw no reason to penalise either challenge, a decision that was upheld by VAR Matthew Donoghue.
And a statement from the Premier League Match Centre said: “The referee’s call of no penalty to Fulham following a challenge by Kelleher on Pereira was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed a coming together and not a reckless action.
“The VAR also checked and cleared the incident between van Dijk and Muniz.”
Liverpool went into the game 11 points clear at the Premier League summit having been unbeaten in their last 26 top-flight matches.