Virgin Media issue statement as millions of Sky Sports viewers hit with error during Liverpool vs Bournemouth

Virgin Media have released a statement after millions of viewers were hit by a major technical issue during the first half of Liverpool versus Bournemouth.

The Premier League season curtain-raiser is being broadcast live at Anfield by Sky Sports.

But towards the end of the half, Virgin Media users began to report significant graphical glitches, with the screen becoming pixellated.

The issues continued for the remainder of the half, including when Hugo Ekitike put Liverpool in front with his first Premier League.

Liverpool vs Bournemouth was hit by technical issues (Image: Sky Sports)

Virgin Media initially released a statement confirming they had become aware of an issue that was affecting Sky Sports, but later updated this to reflect their entire TV service.

In response to one user on Twitter, the company stated: "We're aware of an issue affecting TV at the moment. Sorry for any inconvenience caused and we'll aim to resolve this as soon as possible."

Other channels such as BBC and ITV have been affected across the Virgin service.

Sky Sports are yet to comment on the issues, which persisted in the second half.

Those viewers who were able to see the screen in full witnessed Ekitike put Liverpool 1-0 ahead on 37 minutes.

The Frenchman was played through by Alexis Mac Allister before confidently slotting the ball beyond Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic.

It had been a reasonably open half to that point, with Marcus Tavernier seeing a half-chance comfortably saved by Alisson just two minutes before Liverpool's opener.

Liverpool, though, were the better side and deserved their advantage at half-time.

Cody Gakpo then made it 2-0 on 48 minutes with a fine solo run and goal.

The Virgin Media issues persisted during Gakpo's goal (Image: Sky)

Arne Slot gave debuts to all four of his available new outfield signings, with Ekitike joined by Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez in the starting XI.

Speaking pre-match to Sky Sports, the Dutchman indicated that he still wants at least one more signing - as well as the club completing a deal for 18-year-old Italian centre-back Giovanni Leoni.

"I see Hugo mainly as a number nine," he said. "That could also play from the left or together with another number nine.

"We need to have one more attacker, at least."

The Reds have been linked with a move for Newcastle's Alexander Isak, with the Magpies reportedly targeting two signings to replace the Swede.

Craig Hope of the Daily Mail reports that Eddie Howe's side have identified PSG striker Goncalo Ramos as a preferred option, while they are set to advance over a move for Brentford's Yoane Wissa after the Bees agreed a £37 million deal to sign Dango Ouattara from Bournemouth.