Virgil van Dijk might solely smile wryly as he gave his two cents on the most important speaking level from Liverpool’s defeat to Tottenham tonight.
The Reds had been overwhelmed 1-0 in north London after a late winner from Lucas Bergvall, who was lucky to not have been proven a second yellow card simply earlier than the match-deciding second.
The purpose sparked a livid response from the guests’ bench, with Arne Slot’s assistant Sipke Hulshoff booked by Stuart Attwell for his vociferous protests and the LFC head coach doing properly to restrain his feelings when approaching the officers at full-time.
Van Dijk had phrases with Attwell
Chatting with Sky Sports activities after the match, Van Dijk insisted that the referee made an error in not exhibiting Bergvall a second yellow card for a rash problem on Kostas Tsimikas, who occurred to be off the pitch getting therapy in the mean time that Tottenham’s purpose was scored.
The Liverpool captain stated of the contentious foul: “I believe it was fairly apparent that it was going to be a second yellow. Clearly I believe it was fairly clear [what I said to the referee]. It was no coincidence then a minute later he scores the winner, however it’s what it’s.
“He made a mistake for my part and I instructed him that. He thinks perhaps he didn’t however it was fairly apparent I believe and everybody on the sidelines knew it was alleged to be a yellow. [Bergvall] ought to’ve been off.
“There’s a linesman there, a fourth official. There may be VAR there and a referee, and he doesn’t get a second yellow. I’m not saying that is the explanation we misplaced right now, however it was an enormous second within the recreation.”
“He ought to’ve been despatched off.” 😡
Virgil van Dijk was not completely satisfied that Lucas Bergvall was nonetheless on the pitch when he bagged Spurs’ winner towards Liverpool 😬 pic.twitter.com/tNMifZmjVO
— Sky Sports activities Soccer (@SkyFootball) January 8, 2025
Van Dijk proper to name out the officers
Van Dijk might have been smiling when he gave his ideas on Bergvall avoiding a second yellow card, however it was clear to see that he was raging at Attwell for bottling a pivotal choice.
Because the Liverpool captain rightly identified, the assistant referees additionally uncared for to get entangled once they would’ve had a case for doing so, not that the on-field whistler ought to’ve wanted their enter for what appeared a straightforward sufficient name to make.
Sure, the Reds had been poor general and had survived a few scares earlier than the successful purpose, they usually have the second leg to retrieve the deficit from tonight, however that doesn’t excuse the abdication of responsibility from the match officers when it got here to a vital second.
Van Dijk got here out to face the music after his staff’s defeat, however Attwell was capable of slip away from north London with out having to elucidate why he failed to point out a second yellow card to Bergvall. Does that appear proper to you?
