Keith Hackett, the former general manager of Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), believes Virgil van Dijk may have seen red in Liverpool’s League Cup semi-final second leg against Tottenham Hotspur. Van Dijk collided with Richarlison in the third minute of the encounter at Anfield, sending the former Everton star tumbling about and holding his face on the pitch. Craig Pawson had to pause the contest as a result, however the incident was not ruled a foul. Replays revealed that the Reds captain’s arm made contact with his opponent’s face.

However, Michael Salisbury, the video assistant referee (VAR), reviewed the challenge in which both became entangled while attempting to win the ball. However, Richarlison claimed the Liverpool centre-back elbowed him.

Hackett also admitted that the Reds were fortunate to have 11 players on the field. “There is no doubt that Virgil van Dijk can count himself very, very fortunate to have used arm, or elbow, against his opponent and come away with no sanction,” his representative told Football Insider. “This was, at the very least, reckless and should have resulted in a yellow card; it bordered on excessive force.” But I think I’d give him the benefit of the doubt and go yellow rather than red.

Keith Hackett, the former general manager of Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), believes Virgil van Dijk may have seen red in Liverpool’s League Cup semi-final second leg against Tottenham Hotspur. Van Dijk collided with Richarlison in the third minute of the encounter at Anfield, sending the former Everton star tumbling about and holding his face on the pitch. Craig Pawson had to pause the contest as a result, however the incident was not ruled a foul. Replays revealed that the Reds captain’s arm made contact with his opponent’s face.

However, Michael Salisbury, the video assistant referee (VAR), reviewed the challenge in which both became entangled while attempting to win the ball. However, Richarlison claimed the Liverpool centre-back elbowed him.

The Reds were fortunate to keep 11 players on the pitch. “There is no doubt that Virgil van Dijk can count himself very, very fortunate to have used arm, or elbow, against his opponent and come away with no sanction,” his representative told Football Insider. “This was, at the very least, reckless and should have resulted in a yellow card; it bordered on excessive force.” But I think I’d give him the benefit of the doubt and go yellow rather than red.

If he had received a straight red card for aggressive conduct, Van Dijk would have missed Sunday’s FA Cup fourth-round match against Plymouth Argyle, the midweek Merseyside derby at Goodison Park against Everton, and the visit of Wolverhampton Wanderers to Anfield the following weekend. Richarlison, on the other hand, would abandon the game before his opponent, departing in the first half of extra time due to an unrelated ailment. The Reds’ captain also remained on the pitch long enough to score his fourth and final goal of the night, heading home an Alexis MacAllister corner. Arne Slot made five changes in the final 20 minutes, one of which saw Mac Allister replace Curtis Jones and the final change saw Jarell Quansah replace Van Dijk to seal the game.

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