Premier League release statement on Liverpool v Southampton controversy
Liverpool came back from behind to win 3-1 against relegation-threatened Southampton at Anfield on Saturday.
The Premier League leaders are cruising towards winning the title, dismantling all opposition that comes in their way.
Arne Slot’s Liverpool are now 16 points clear of second-placed Arsenal who are set to take on Manchester United on Sunday.
VAR controversy in Liverpool vs Southampton
The Reds conceded first at the stroke of half-time, as William Smallbone opened the scoring in the first half. With all work to do in the second half, Liverpool responded via Darwin Nunez in the 51st minute.
Then it was Mohamed Salah’s magic that turned the tie in Liverpool’s favour as he converted two penalties in the 54th and the 88th minute to seal the win for the hosts.
Ivan Juric’s men suffered their 23rd defeat of the season and are almost confirmed to get relegated unless they engineer a miraculous escape. At the other end of the table, Liverpool are on course to win the title with relative ease.
In the 85th minute, the referee was instructed to stop the play and advised to go to the on-field monitor. Referee Lewis Smith did not give the penalty initially for a shout of handball but upon checking the replay, the match official found Yukinari Sugawara deliberately moved his hand and handed the penalty to Liverpool.
| Mohammed Salah Premier League 2024-25 stats | Stats |
| Matches | 28 |
| Goals | 25 |
| Assists | 17 |
Premier League released an official statement regarding the whole incident and explained as to why the penalty was awarded to the Reds.
The statement said: “VAR checked the referee’s call of no penalty for a possible handball by Sugawara – and deemed that he made a deliberate movement towards the ball with his arm, therefore recommended an on-field review. The referee then awarded a penalty to Liverpool.”
Mohamed Salah has been unstoppable for the Reds
The Egyptian has been in splendid form this season. Under Slot, Salah has netted 25 goals and provided 17 assists in 28 Premier League games, leading both the goalscoring and assists table.
Salah’s current deal expires at the end of the season and so far there have been no indications regarding a new deal. The former Roma forward has insisted that he wants to win the Premier League in what could be his final season at Anfield.
It does come as a surprise that Liverpool have not tied Salah to a new deal. Along with the Egyptian, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold are also set to become free agents at the end of the season.
It seems as though the Reds are planning for a squad rebuild and are looking to instil a new project with new faces at Anfield.