Virgil van Dijk has had a turbulent start to the Premier League campaign – falling behind on points with Liverpool, having below par performances and being clowned on social media.
His bad form, along with the whole team, is apparent and mistimed tackles like these can’t tell us otherwise.
Van Dijk Late Challenge On Amadou Onana
In the 74th minute of Liverpool’s league derby against Everton and with no goals on the board, van Dijk made a very late tackle on Everton’s Onana.
VAR was not called and the Dutch defender’s challenge was ‘punished’ with a yellow card.
- A really rough challenge from Virgil van Dijk!
Strangely enough, he didn't get a red card #LIVEVE #LFC pic.twitter.com/7zXXrbf5Tc— Ahmed (@Arsahmed_4) September 3, 2022
"Welcome to the Merseyside Derby, Onana" - van Dijk
The game ended in a 0-0 draw.
Should Van Dijk Have Seen A Red Card?
It’s quite strange to see that a tackle like this wasn’t penalized with a red, never mind a VAR check by the head referee.
Considering the game was scoreless, a red card could’ve increased the Toffees’ chances to push for a goal and win the game in the last 20 minutes of the game.
According to Everton’s manager Frank Lampard, this would’ve been the case.
“For me, it was a red card and of course [the red card] changes the face of the last 20 minutes,” said the English manager.
"I'm surprised it hasn't gone to VAR. For me, it was a red card."
Frank Lampard felt Virgil van Dijk was lucky not to be sent off for a challenge on Amadou Onana pic.twitter.com/3dh37AoJWq— Football Daily (@footballdaily) September 3, 2022
For us too, Lamps. For us too.
