Exclusive: Muniz push ‘very clever’ amid Van Dijk fury as Fulham beat Liverpool
Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk can have no complaints about Rodrigo Muniz’s goal in Fulham’s win over the Premier League leaders, Keith Hackett has said.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the Brazilian was clever in the way he held off the Reds’ captain to put his side 3-1 up in that match at Craven Cottage.
Liverpool are on course to claim the Premier League title this season, in what is Arne Slot‘s first campaign in charge at Anfield.
However, they saw that march to the trophy hit a rare hurdle against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday (6 April), slipping to a 3-2 defeat.
Virgil van Dijk fumes over Rodrigo Muniz goal
Liverpool were lucky not to concede a penalty through either Caoimhin Kelleher or Van Dijk in the same incident early on.
The Reds then took the lead thanks to a fine strike from Alexis Mac Allister with 14 minutes on the clock, before Fulham rallied to take a 3-1 lead into the half time break.
Muniz had scored the third of those goals after producing a stunning touch, turn and finish from a tight angle with 37 minutes on the clock.
| Virgil van Dijk vs Fulham | Total (as per SofaScore) |
| Successful Passes | 72/82 |
| Duels Won | 4/10 |
| Interceptions | 2 |
| Clearances | 8 |
| Fouls | 0 |
Van Dijk though was unhappy that goal was allowed to stand, after feeling he had been pushed out of the way from behind the Fulham man to give him the space needed to control the ball.
Now, Hackett has downplayed those claims from the Liverpool captain, suggesting the goal would never have been disallowed for that level of contact, despite initially suggesting Muniz was lucky.
Liverpool frustration over Fulham goal dismissed after footage reviewed
After being asked by Football Insider whether Van Dijk had any cause for complaint, the former referee said:
“I think the Fulham player was quite clever, balance plays a big part and timing, it was a very clever push that did actually impact on Van Dijk’s ability to defend. I think the Fulham player got away with it.
“I’ve only seen this once, no I’m not going to penalise that. I’ve seen it now for a second time, not enough in that, not having the best of seasons is he Van Dijk?!”
Although Liverpool did pull a goal back through substitute Luis Diaz, they were unable to find an equaliser, meaning they are now 11 points clear of Arsenal with seven games to play.
Meanwhile, Van Dijk was also lucky to avoid punishment for an elbow on Sander Berge during the second half of this clash, putting further scrutiny on the centre-back moving forward.