Liverpool
VAR and Referee Errors Mar First Half of Bournemouth vs Liverpool Clash: Bournemouth 2-1 Liverpool HT: A half to sum up Liverpool’s season. A bit of a mess really.
The first half of Liverpool’s Premier League encounter against Bournemouth was overshadowed by a series of controversial refereeing and VAR decisions that left players, fans, and pundits furious.
From the opening exchanges, Liverpool looked sharp and in control, pressing Bournemouth high and creating early chances. However, the talking points quickly shifted away from footballing quality to officiating inconsistencies that disrupted the rhythm of the game.
Disallowed Goal Sparks Outrage
The biggest flashpoint came midway through the first half when Liverpool thought they had taken the lead. A well-worked move ended with the ball in the back of the net, only for VAR to intervene after a lengthy check. The goal was ruled out for a marginal offside call that appeared inconclusive even after multiple replays.
Anfield fans watching on and Liverpool players on the pitch were left baffled, with the decision drawing loud protests. The lines drawn by VAR were heavily debated, with many believing the benefit of the doubt should have gone to the attacker.
Penalty Appeals Ignored
Liverpool were also denied a strong penalty shout after a Bournemouth defender appeared to handle the ball inside the box while attempting to block a cross. Despite clear appeals from the Liverpool players, the referee waved play on, and VAR surprisingly chose not to intervene.
Replays suggested the defender’s arm was in an unnatural position, raising further questions about consistency in handball decisions this season.
Inconsistent Fouls and Bookings
Adding to the frustration was the referee’s inconsistent approach to fouls. Several challenges on Liverpool players went unpunished, while similar incidents at the other end resulted in free-kicks for Bournemouth. This lack of consistency disrupted Liverpool’s momentum and increased tensions on the pitch.
Slot’s Frustration Evident
Liverpool manager Arne Slot was visibly frustrated on the touchline, repeatedly questioning decisions and urging the fourth official for clarity. His body language reflected the growing sense of injustice felt by the Liverpool bench.
A First Half to Forget for Officials
While Bournemouth defended resolutely and remained competitive, the first half will be remembered more for officiating errors than football. VAR, once again, found itself at the centre of controversy, reinforcing ongoing debates about its implementation and effectiveness in the Premier League.
As both teams headed into the break level, Liverpool knew they would need to overcome not just Bournemouth, but also the lingering frustration caused by a first half riddled with contentious decisions.
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Bournemouth 2-1 Liverpool
HT: A half to sum up Liverpool’s season. A bit of a mess really.
Evanilson opened the scoring after some woeful defending from Van Dijk. Liverpool then lost Gomez to injury but took an age to get the sub on so were down to 10-men when Jimenez doubled the lead. Van Dijk flicked them back into the game just before the break.

It’s a great watch but worrying times for Liverpool.
Half Time: Bournemouth 2-1 Liverpool – live on
Updates, teams and tables
Hope! Van Dijk pulls one back for Liverpool before the break View post
Bad to worse for Liverpool! Jimenez doubled lead for Cherries View post
Evanilson fired hosts ahead after Van Dijk error View post
Teams: Gomez subbed off with injury
Liverpool’s next five fixtures…
Jan 28: Qarabag FK (H)
Jan 31: Newcastle (H)
Feb 8: Man City (H) – live on Sky Sports
Feb 11: Sunderland (A)
Feb 14: Brighton (H) – FA Cup
Liverpool
The contract and paperwork are already in place for Liverpool to welcome back Jarell Quansah, who left Merseyside to join Bayer Leverkusen last summer, to help fill out the Reds’ thin defensive ranks
Yes — that claim lines up with multiple transfer-news reports: Liverpool could re-sign 23-year-old England centre-back Jarell Quansah from Bayer Leverkusen in future, thanks to a buy-back clause in the deal that sent him to Germany — but not immediately next season.
🔁 What’s Happening with Quansah and Liverpool
Quansah moved from Liverpool to Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2025 for a reported fee around £30m-£35m (plus add-ons), joining the Bundesliga side on a long-term contract.
As part of that transfer, Liverpool inserted a buy-back clause allowing the club to re-sign him in the future for a pre-agreed fee.
footballtransfers.com
However, the clause cannot be activated until the summer of 2027 at the earliest.
TEAM
Reports suggest the buy-back figure could be around £50m-£60m (with potential add-ons increasing the fee), although exact numbers vary across sources.
Sports Mole +1
There are also indications Liverpool have pre-agreed personal terms with Quansah should they trigger the buy-back, smoothing the path for a return.
TEAMtalk
🧠 Context for the Move
Quansah was a Liverpool academy graduate and made senior appearances before leaving, but opted for more first-team football in Germany.
Football Today
With his development in the Bundesliga and Liverpool’s evolving defensive needs, the idea of bringing him back — especially given future departures or ageing defenders — is being discussed in transfer circles.
TEAMtalk
Bottom line: the Football Insider claim that Liverpool could re-sign Quansah later isn’t unfounded — there is a buy-back clause — but any switch is realistically targeted for 2027 or beyond, not next summer.
Liverpool
Donnarumma’s 𝑰𝑵𝑪𝑹𝑬𝑫𝑰𝑩𝑳𝑬 save 97th minute… pure madness at Anfield Manchester City were leading 2–1 when Liverpool threw everyone forward in one last attack. A thunderous strike from Mac Allister looked destined for the net… but Donnarumma pulled off a massive, unbelievable save that left the entire stadium in shock
PURE ANFIELD MADNESS 😱🔥
97th minute. City clinging to a 2–1 lead. Liverpool throw everyone forward. The crowd is bouncing, the tension is unbearable…
Mac Allister absolutely thunders one towards goal — it’s heading in, no doubt abo
FULL HD VIDEO🎥 👇👇👇
ut it.
Then BOOM 💥
GIANLUIGI DONNARUMMA pulls out a save from another universe 🤯
Reflexes. Reach. Nerves of steel.
Anfield frozen. Liverpool stunned. City survive.
One of those saves that changes the whole story of the match.
Goalkeeper moments don’t get crazier than this 🤣🧤🔥
Football, bloody hell.
Liverpool
BREAKING NEWS The Word From Liverpool Is’ – Arne Slot Sack Update Emerges After Man City Defeat
Liverpool manager Arne Slot’s job is believed to be safe for now, despite their recent home defeat against Manchester City on Sunday afternoon, according to journalist David Lynch.
The Reds looked as though they were heading to victory after Dominik Szboszlai fired in a stunning free-kick from range to put his side in front. Late in the game, Bernardo Silva latched onto a headed throughball by Erling Haaland, poking past Alisson Becker to level the scoring.
In the final minutes, Man City were awarded a penalty, and Erling Haaland stepped up to slot into the bottom corner, scoring the winner for Pep Guardiola’s side. City had the ball in the net once again in the dying seconds, but play was brought back for a foul by Szoboszlai, who was sent off after a VAR review.
Arne Slot Safe at Liverpool
According to journalist Lynch, Slot’s job at Liverpool is safe at the moment, but he doesn’t buy into the idea that he can afford endless poor performances and results.
The word from Liverpool is that Arne Slot is safe, but I don’t really buy the idea he can afford endless poor performances and bad results until the end of the season. Today was both, in my opinion. https://t.co/sjMRhibrZK — David Lynch (@davidlynchlfc) February 8, 2026
Liverpool are seemingly willing to stick with Slot for now, which might not be a huge surprise after he won the Premier League title last season. Their achievement in the 2024/2025 campaign undoubtedly carries a lot of weight, with Slot having credit in the bank heading into this campaign.
Results will undoubtedly have to improve, and with one Premier League win in their previous seven games, the pressure is on Slot to turn things around as soon as possible.
Liverpool need to make a decision and soon, as they are in danger of seeing their season drift away from them. The Reds will have been aiming to lift the Premier League title once again, but now, even Champions League qualification is looking like a difficult task.
The mentality to throw away a 1-0 lead against Man City is the biggest disappointment for them, especially as they’ve notoriously been a bogey team for Guardiola at Anfield. The credit in the bank will only last so long, and the board must surely be considering making a change in the near future
If FSG think that 6 wins out of the last 20, a points per game ratio similar to Spurs, behind United, just 2 points ahead of Everton and some dreadful football thrown in means he’s safe, then what would he have to do to be in trouble? FSG must see that he is not the answer. The Kop will decide on Slot’s fate as they did with Hodgson.
The idea having credit in the bank for having a past title, that’s only a rhyme at Lfc. We saw Mourinho being sacked for far less bad results though he is/was a seasoned manager. Had Slot won the CL? At Lfc it is all about the money. They fabricate reasons just not to sign new players. They do the same not to sack.
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