Hackett exclusive: Van Dijk red card verdict issued for Liverpool vs Tottenham
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk could have been sent off early on the second leg of his side’s Carabao Cup semi-final with Tottenham, Keith Hackett has said.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the centre-back should have at least received a yellow card for an apparent elbow on Richarlison.
Arne Slot’s side went into the match at Anfield on Thursday (6 February) trailing 1-0 from the first leg following Lucas Begrvall’s controversial opener for Spurs in January.
However, it was Liverpool who may count themselves lucky over one decision early on in the reverse fixture at Anfield.
Van Dijk catches Richarlison in controversial semi-final moment
Richarlison has only recently returned to action for Tottenham following a long spell spell out through injury, and he was involved in another painful moment as he went up against van Dijk.
As the two players competed for the ball from a throw-in midway inside the Spurs half, it was the Liverpool centre-back who got in front of his man.
From there, van Dijk then threw out an arm as he attempted to hold off his opponent, with his elbow crashing into the chin of Richarlison and was “very, very fortunate” to avoid a card of either colour.
Keith Hackett reacts as Liverpool get lucky against Tottenham
Although the coming together led to a break in play, no free-kick was awarded against van Dijk, who also avoided any sort of card.
The fact the Liverpool man avoided punishment left Hackett stunned, with the former referee telling Football Insider:
“There is no doubt that Virgil van Dijk can count himself very, very fortunate to have used arm, elbow against his opponent, and come away with no sanction.
“This was at the very least reckless, and therefore should have been minimum yellow card, it bordered on excessive force. But I think I’d just give him the benefit of the doubt and go yellow not red.”
Things would get worse for Richarlison and Spurs before half-time with Cody Gakpo opening the scoring in the match to pull Liverpool level in the tie.
From a personal perspective the attacker was then forced off with an apparent injury, being replaced by Tottenham debutant Mathys Tel.