Premier League explain decision not to send off Andreas Pereira after challenge on Ryan Gravenberch

Former Premier League referee Mike Dean labelled Andreas Pereira's tackle on Ryan Gravenberch as "100% a red card" in the first half of Liverpool's visit from Fulham. But it's understood the incident was thoroughly checked by the officials at Stockley Park's VAR centre, who agreed with the on-field call by match referee Tony Harrington at Anfield.

Gravenberch went down under a challenge by former Manchester United man Pereira in the first half with the midfielder accused of raking his studs down the Achilles of the Reds star inside the first 10 minutes.

Referee Harrington opted only to caution Pereira and the Premier League chose not to publicly explain the thinking behind the decision in the same way they did for Issa Diop's first-minute challenge on Andy Robertson, which was high but not deemed to be worthy of a red card.

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The ECHO contacted the Premier League for clarification around the decision and it is understood that the VAR agreed with Harrington's initial ruling of the foul, meaning Pereira was able to continue on and open the scoring at Anfield.

Former top-level referee Dean was critical of the officials who were casting judgement over the foul, saying on Sky Sports: "I think judging by what we saw in the week in the programme that Howard (Webb) did (Mic'd up).

"It's the same challenge as Wilfried Ndidi on the back of Cole Palmer. He's caught him just above the achilles with his studs and and scraped down to the top of the boot.

"In my opinion he's nowhere near the ball, he knows what he's doing and it's 100% a red card."

Cody Gakpo equalised in the second to cancel out Pereira's opener for the 10 men, who saw Robertson dismissed for denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity for Harry Wilson.