Virgil van Dijk has made his feelings perfectly clear after Liverpool were denied what he believes was an obvious penalty during Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at Anfield.
The Liverpool captain was particularly frustrated by the decision not to award Alexander Isak a spot-kick after Jurrien Timber appeared to pull the striker’s shirt as he attempted to reach Bradley Barcola’s dangerous cross.
And Van Dijk wasn’t holding back when questioned about the incident.
His response was simple but powerful:
“I think it was a clear penalty… We have 50 cameras.”
It is a comment that will resonate with plenty of Liverpool supporters who were left scratching their heads after seeing the replays.
Van Dijk questions VAR over Isak shirt pull
The incident happened during the first half, with Liverpool searching for a way back into the contest after Kai Havertz had given Arsenal the lead.
Barcola delivered a dangerous ball into the penalty area, but Isak was unable to get on the end of it because Timber appeared to grab and pull his shirt.
The contact was visible on the television replays, yet referee Andy Madley allowed play to continue and VAR did not intervene.
Isak stayed on his feet and did not make a huge appeal, but Van Dijk believes that should have made absolutely no difference.
Speaking after the match, the Liverpool captain said:
“I think it was a clear penalty. I’ve seen it back and I’ve seen it being given. Today it wasn’t meant to be.”
When asked whether VAR had failed to notice the incident, Van Dijk responded:
“We have 50 cameras. Why does he have to complain when there are so many cameras? Everyone has seen it.”
He added that Liverpool ultimately lost the game and congratulated Arsenal on their victory.
Does a player really have to go down to win a penalty?
This is the part of the incident that will frustrate Liverpool supporters most.
Isak stayed on his feet despite having his shirt pulled, but surely players should not have to throw themselves to the ground to convince officials that a foul has taken place?
We have VAR, multiple camera angles and officials who can review incidents from different positions.
If a defender pulls an attacker’s shirt and prevents him from reaching the ball, surely the officials should be looking at the actual offence rather than how dramatically the player reacts.
It is a problem Andoni Iraola also highlighted after the match.
The Liverpool manager was adamant that Isak should have received a penalty and suggested that the striker’s decision to stay on his feet had counted against him.
Iraola even joked that perhaps managers will have to start telling their players to go to ground if they want decisions in their favour.
That is hardly where football should be heading.
Liverpool had more than one penalty complaint
The Isak incident wasn’t the only moment that frustrated Liverpool.
Cody Gakpo also went down following contact from Christos Tzolis, although Iraola acknowledged that the two incidents were different.
The Liverpool manager felt the Isak shirt pull was a clear penalty, while describing the contact on Gakpo as sustained holding.
Neither incident resulted in a spot-kick.
There was also a separate VAR review following a confrontation between Noni Madueke and Alexis Mac Allister, with Arsenal’s winger avoiding a red card.
It was certainly an afternoon when the officials found themselves under the spotlight.
But Liverpool must take responsibility too
While the penalty decision deserves scrutiny, we shouldn’t pretend it was the only reason Liverpool lost.
Alisson’s poor pass allowed Arsenal to take the lead through Havertz, and Liverpool ultimately failed to register a single shot on target despite creating opportunities.
Florian Wirtz struck the crossbar with a superb free-kick, while Mac Allister missed a promising headed chance.
Arsenal also deserve credit for defending their lead so effectively after the break.
Liverpool have to improve in the final third and eliminate the individual mistakes that are costing them valuable points.
But that doesn’t mean the Isak incident should simply be forgotten.
My verdict: Van Dijk is right to ask questions
I understand why Van Dijk is frustrated.
The Liverpool captain has seen the replay, believes his striker was clearly impeded and cannot understand why VAR failed to award a penalty.
And I think the biggest question is a perfectly reasonable one: why should Isak have to complain or deliberately go to ground when the officials have all the technology available to identify the foul?
We want players to stay on their feet. We want diving and theatrics removed from the game. But decisions like this risk sending the opposite message.
If the contact is enough to prevent a player from reaching the ball, it should be judged on its merits.
Liverpool still have plenty to work on after losing to Arsenal, but supporters are entitled to expect consistency from the officials.
As Van Dijk said, we have 50 cameras. Surely someone should have spotted it.
Jamie – (The Kopite View)
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