Fulham star Issa Diop avoided a sending off after a late challenge on Liverpool's Andy Robertson - after VAR decided to not overturn the referee's on-field decision.
The center-back's challenge in the first minute of the action at Anfield was deemed to be a foul by referee Tony Harrington. The official issued the Frenchman with a yellow card, as VAR then intervened to check for a potential red card before deciding to stick with the original call.
A statement was issued by the Premier League on the decision on X, reading: "The referee issued a yellow card to Diop for a challenge on Robertson. VAR checked for a potential red card and confirmed the referee’s call of reckless challenge and yellow card."
With Robertson having recovered from the challenge from Diop, the Scottish left-back saw himself dismissed later on in the first half. The Reds defender was sent off after a lengthy check from VAR after he brought down former Reds man Harry Wilson outside the penalty area.
The Welsh attacker was bearing down on goal as he passed the ball onto teammate Raul Jimenez. However, the referee blew his whistle for a foul after Robertson brought down Wilson after he played in the Mexican forward, who attempted to chip Alisson Becker.
A VAR check ensued as the incident was checked for an offside in the build-up to the sending off, with Virgil van Dijk found to have played Wilson onside. Following on from this, Harrington was able to stick with his on-field decision as he confirmed Robertson's dismissal.
Referee Tony Harrington shows the red card and sends off Andrew Robertson of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Fulham FC at Anfield on December 14, 2024 (Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
In that case the Premier League said the following on the call: "The referee issued a red card to Robertson for a foul on Wilson which denied a goal scoring opportunity. VAR checked to confirm the red card and that Wilson was in an onside position."
Meanwhile, a tackle from Andreas Pereira in the opening minutes of proceedings also proved controversial, with former Premier League official Mike Dean opining that he should have been sent off. He said: "He goes just above the Achilles and scrapes down to the top of his boot. In my opinion he's nowhere near the ball, knew what he was doing, it should have 100 percent been a red card."
The Reds also fell a goal down in the first half of the game at Anfield, with Andreas Pereira having put the visitors ahead in the 11th minute of proceedings. He converted a well-weighted cross at the back post, sticking the ball home with an acrobatic finish at the Kop end to put Fulham into the lead.
Liverpool came into the game at the top of the Premier League, having won 11 times in its opening 14 fixtures to establish a significant advantage at the summit. The Reds were four points ahead of Chelsea at the start of play and six points ahead of Arsenal.