Premier League release statement after Liverpool VAR penalty decision against West Ham United

Curtis Jones fights for the ball with James Ward-Prowse

The Premier League have confirmed the decision not to award Liverpool a second-half penalty against West Ham United.

The league say it was down to James Ward-Prowse's handling being "accidental".

After Luis Diaz had given the Reds a first-half lead at Anfield, the hosts had a penalty shout waved away after a corner was brushed by Ward-Prowse's outstretched hand at the Kop End before being cleared.

And the league's official Match Centre account has confirmed why referee Andy Madley and the VAR assistants in Stockley Park opted against awarding a spot-kick for Arne Slot's leaders.

A post on X read: "The referee’s call of no penalty for a potential handball was checked and confirmed by VAR – with Ward-Prowse’s action deemed to be accidental and not a handball offence."

Liverpool went into the second half with a 1-0 lead thanks to Diaz, who poked home from Mohamed Salah's 23rd assist of the season after 18 minutes.

An Andy Robertson own goal brough West Ham level only for Virgil van Dijk to power home a header shortly after to earn the Reds a vital 2-1 victory.

It is a victory that means Liverpool are now 13 points clear of second-placed Arsenal and means they need just six points to win a 20th league championship