Premier League forced to release two Liverpool VAR statements in Southampton controversy

Liverpool moved eight points clear at the top of the Premier League avoiding a scare against early season strugglers Southampton. The Saints proved a tricky customer for the Reds as they had to come from behind to extend their lead at the top-flight summit.

Mohamed Salah was the match-winner as his brace wrapped up all three points against the relegation-threatened side. The Egyptian capitalised on a mistake from Alex McCarthy to restore parity against the strugglers, having trailed 2-1, before he stepped up to convert from 12 yards out after Yukinari Sugawara handled in the box.

Dominik Szoboszlai fired the Reds in front in the first-half after Southampton were careless from the back. However, Russell Martin's side were handed an avenue back into the game after Andy Robertson was adjudged to have fouled in the box - Adam Armstrong stepped up and saw his initial penalty saved but was on hand to convert on the rebound.

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Tyler Dibling was brought down but the decision from Samuel Barrott proved controversial as he pointed to the spot despite Robertson appearing to make contact outside the box. The Premier League issued a statement following the incident and claimed there was "no conclusive evidence" of contact outside the area.

It read: "The referee’s call of penalty for the challenge by Robertson on Dibling is checked and confirmed by VAR, who deemed there was no conclusive evidence that the contact occurred outside the penalty area."

Liverpool found themselves behind after the break as Matheus Fernandes squeezed the ball home. The Reds needed two goals from Salah, including a spot-kick after a handball in the area from a Saints defender.

The Premier League explained in a fresh statement: "The referee’s call of penalty for the handball by Sugawara is checked by VAR, who confirmed that he deliberately moved his arm towards the ball."

Liverpool sit eight points clear at the top of the Premier League after navigating past the tricky test of the Saints. The Reds return to action against Real Madrid in the Champions League before their top-of-the-table clash with Manchester City.