'Van Dijk has committed far more serious offences' - Ex-refs chief reacts to controversial Liverpool footage

Virgil van Dijk was on the wrong end of a "soft" penalty decision during Liverpool's pre-season defeat to Monaco at Anfield.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that it's difficult to criticise the referee for following the letter of the law.

In the 44th minute, following goals from Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, the Ligue 1 side hit back via Aleksandr Golovin on Sunday, 9 August.

It was the Russian international who earned the spot-kick before dispatching from 12 yards, sparking a comeback for the visitors on Merseyside.

Questions were instantly being asked about Van Dijk ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, especially with very limited options at the back for Andoni Iraola.

Instead of criticising the experienced defender, Hackett felt sympathy for Liverpool's captain, wanting more from the incident to award a penalty.

Virgil van Dijk has gotten away with much worse

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett couldn't criticise the referee's decision, but did feel a bit deflated by the spot-kick being awarded.

"I wouldn't have given a penalty kick for that. I want a bit more, but let's just have a look at it," he said.

"It's careless. It's not reckless; it's a foul, therefore the referee gives the penalty. He's given the penalty. That's his choice.

"In law, he's made the correct call. We know that Van Dijk has committed far more serious offences and got away with it. This one is on the soft side.

"Ultimately, at the end of the day, it's a careless action by Van Dijk that resulted in a penalty kick being awarded. It's difficult to criticise the referee for doing that."

Is Van Dijk ready for the 2026-27 campaign?

Pre-season has been very difficult to judge at Anfield so far this summer, and the true test of Iraola's team will come against Newcastle United in their Premier League opener.

Van Dijk was knocked out of the 2026 World Cup with the Netherlands in round of 32, losing to Morocco, and has been on holiday since.

The Reds have had to strike a deal for Ronald Araujo on loan, with Ibrahima Konate gone, Jeremy Jacquet inexperienced in England and Giovanni Leoni still recovering.

Van Dijk desperately needs a consistent figure beside him. On his day, he's still one of the best centre-backs in the world, but he continues to make key errors.