Angry Arsenal fans insist Virgil van Dijk ‘should have been sent off’ for violent conduct after Liverpool captain lashed out at Kai Havertz
- Virgil van Dijk was the goal scorer in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw against Arsenal on Sunday
- Many Arsenal fans believe he should have been sent off before his goal
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Arsenal fans were convinced Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk should have been sent off for violent conduct during Sunday’s 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium.
Van Dijk scored the first of Liverpool’s two equalizers when he headed home from a corner in the 18th minute.
Bukayo Saka had earlier opened the scoring in the ninth minute. Mikel Merino and Mohamed Salah also found the net later in the match. But all those goals came after Van Dijk was penalized for an off-ball foul on Kai Havertz.
In the sixth minute, with the match still tied at 0–0, Van Dijk collected the ball from Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher before passing it to Andy Robertson.
Van Dijk had been eliminated by Havertz, although the German did not go as far as a tackle. After the ball was gone, Van Dijk pushed Havertz away with his right hand. The former Southampton defender then appeared to aggressively and deliberately thrust his left leg into the Arsenal striker.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk (right) appeared to lash out at Arsenal’s Kai Havertz on Sunday
The incident happened just after Van Dijk played a pass to Andy Robertson (bottom right)
Havertz fell to the ground and Arsenal were quickly awarded a free kick by the referee
But Van Dijk was not carded, despite many fans believing he should have seen red
Referee Anthony Taylor awarded a free kick, but did not card Van Dijk.
Commenting on Van Dijk’s foul, Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville said: ‘He was stupid, Van Dijk. He just got into a little battle and kind of turned on him.”
Watching a replay, Neville added: “A little elbow and then that. Oh yeah, he kicks him too. Crazy. He doesn’t really have to do it.
Several Gunners fans were outraged by Taylor’s alleged leniency.
On X (formerly Twitter) someone wrote: ‘How the hell did Van Dijk get away with that???? Not even a yellow card for hitting and kicking someone who doesn’t have the ball????’
Another tweeted: ‘If an Arsenal player did what Van Dijk just did to Kai Havertz, VAR would have called the referee and a straight red card would have been handed out.’
A similar message from another Gunners supporter moaned: ‘And this was a red card from Van Dijk but he wasn’t wearing an Arsenal kit.’
Arsenal’s anger only increased after Van Dijk got on the scoresheet.
Dutchman Van Dijk scored a goal for Liverpool less than fifteen minutes after his foul on Havertz
Havertz in the photo (left) complains to referee Anthony Taylor after the final whistle on Sunday
“So Van Dijk equalizes, not long after he should have been sent off,” grumbled a fan.
Another added: ‘Ah. Van Dijk, who should have been sent off the field, scores. Naturally.’
Fourteen players have been sent off in the Premier League so far this season, including three Arsenal stars: Declan Rice, Leandro Trossard and William Saliba.
Sunday’s result puts Liverpool in second place, one point behind leaders Manchester City.
Arsenal are third, four points behind Liverpool.
