VAR officials identified two reasons for sticking with the on-field decision of the referee to send Alexis Mac Allister off during Liverpool’s match with Bournemouth.

Mac Allister was dismissed by referee Thomas Bramall in the 58th minute of the match at Anfield after a challenge on Bournemouth midfielder Ryan Christie. The Argentine was making his home debut after a £35m move from Brighton earlier in the summer.

A VAR check did take place to ensure this was the correct decision, with it being determined that there was no clear and obvious error made by Bramall in brandishing a red card. The ECHO understands the fact there was studs showing from Mac Allister and a high point of contact being made on Christie were the defining factors behind sticking by the referee’s initial call.

Paul Tierney, who has clashed a number of times with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, was overseeing VAR, while Constantine Hatzidakis, who had an exchange with Andy Robertson last season, assisting him.

Liverpool were leading 2-1 at the time of the sending off, with goals from Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah cancelling out Antoine Semenyo’s opener for the visitors. New signing Waturu Endo would immediately be called from the substitute bench after Mac Allister left the field, with the Japan international replacing Cody Gakpo for his Liverpool debut.