Jamie Carragher fumes at VAR controversy after just 14 MINUTES of new season

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. Those in the VAR room didn't feel further action was needed, but Carragher disagreed.

“We can hear what the VAR are saying. They’re saying it’s come off his leg and hit his hand like you can’t do anything about it," Carragher said during Sky Sports' coverage. "But it’s not. He realises he’s got a massive problem and he puts his arm towards the ball.

“How the VAR can say that. I really don’t like seeing people sent off, that’s a last resort. But what I’ve just heard from the VAR did not happen. There’s plenty of time and he throws his hand at it. The information the referee got was not correct.”

Liverpool manager Arne Slot appeared frustrated by the incident. He cut an animated figure on the touchline but Liverpool had to continue without a decision going their way.

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The Premier League Match Centre shared an explanation for Senesi avoiding punishment. "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," it said.

Fans on social media agreed with Carragher's assessment of the incident, though. "Blatant handball from Senesi, Ekitike would have been through.," wrote one.

"Even if it’s at the halfway line, that’s surely got to be a red card," another argued. "Just about the most blatant handball you’ll see, and the intent is obvious. At the very least though, it’s incredibly poor from the ref to be missing that. 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.

"Their decision will stand unless, in the opinion of the VAR, based upon the evidence readily available, that call is a clear and obvious error. This helped to reduce the VAR delays from an average of 64 seconds to 39 seconds per match last season."

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