Ex-Fifa official hits out at Virgil van Dijk ‘conduct’ as controversial Liverpool image emerges
Keith Hackett has insisted Virgil van Dijk should have been cautioned for scuffing the penalty spot as Liverpool beat West Ham 1-0 on Wednesday (19 October).
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee insisted the 31-year-old committed an act of “ungentlemanly conduct”.
As seen in a picture from talkSPORT (19 October), Van Dijk could be seen scuffing up the penalty spot inside Liverpool’s area before Jarrod Bowen stepped up to take his spot-kick.
Bowen, who was awarded the penalty himself after VAR reviewed a foul by Joe Gomez, saw his effort saved by Alisson.
Former Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger was booked for a similar offence last season during the Blues’ loss at Anfield.
Liverpool held on at Anfield to record a second straight home victory after their 1-0 win over Man City last weekend.
A caution for Van Dijk would not have put him in any danger of a one-match ban as the Netherlands international has been booked just once in 10 Premier League games this term.
Hackett told Football Insider: “It’s got to be a brave referee to do it, but it’s a bookable offence.
“What he’s done is an act of ungentlemanly conduct.
“It’s like if the goalkeeper goes to the edge of the penalty area and carved out a line in the middle of his goal with his boots. We don’t often see that anymore.
“That was done fairly regularly in my day, but it was tightened up on.
“If a goalkeeper did it, it would be a caution.”
In other news, pundit issues “£100million” Darwin Nunez claim after what he’s seen in person at Liverpool.