Liverpool’s match at Fulham was just five minutes old when opposition fans hit upon a familiar theme – does Virgil van Dijk deserve his squeaky-clean reputation?
Once again cries of “penalty” were waved away, this time after the 6ft 4in Dutchman had come out flying and clattered into Rodrigo Muniz in a wincing body check.
VAR checks quickly dismissed two appeals, with officials also declaring that a challenge by Caoimhín Kelleher on Andreas Pereira in the same move was “a coming together and not a reckless action”.
But is the man who has been shown only one red card in his Anfield career really escaping punishment for violent conduct, serious foul play and similar transgressions?
And, if so, have officials become dazzled by his status as the world’s greatest centre-back and ability to make defending look effortless?
Telegraph Sport asked Keith Hackett, the former head of Professional Game Match Officials Limited, to re-referee these seven incidents for which opposition supporters – and in some cases managers – have claimed Van Dijk should have seen red.
Van Dijk v Muniz
PGMOL verdict: The referee’s call of no penalty to Fulham following a challenge by Kelleher on Pereira was checked and confirmed by VAR, with it deemed a coming together and not a reckless action. The VAR also checked and cleared the incident between Van Dijk and Muniz.
Hackett said: Virgil van Dijk once again unfairly impedes his opponent. He knows exactly what he is doing. He has no chance of getting the ball, turns his back and effectively blocks Rodrigo Muniz. Under the old law this may have been obstruction but, under the new law, unfairly impeding equals a direct free-kick – and because this was in the box, it is a penalty kick. Van Dijk is a serial offender and gets away with another one. This came instantly after Liverpool keeper Caoimhin Kelleher had carelessly taken out Andreas Pereira. This was also a penalty – no wonder Fulham manager Marco Silva was going mad.
Verdict: PENALTY and YELLOW CARD
Van Dijk v Onana
Just seen the Arsenal red card, reason, 'serious foul play' because it was above the ankle, this one here by van Dijk on Onana was just a yellow card which that slap head Gallagher agreed with, let's see/hear what he says on Monday's #RefWatchpic.twitter.com/Gkv6phTFgf
— Everton Views (@EvertonViews) January 25, 2025
This incident came at the start of the 2022-23 season and a Merseyside derby at Goodison Park in which Van Dijk caught Amadou Onana on the “shin” with his studs. Referee Anthony Taylor ...
