Pundit issues ‘massive’ Virgil van Dijk extended ban claim as Liverpool footage emerges on talkSPORT
Noel Whelan has claimed Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk was “massively lucky” to avoid a red card for his challenge on Everton midfielder Amadou Onana during the 0-0 draw on Saturday (3 September).
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the force used in the tackle may have saved the 31-year-old.
As seen in footage from Sky Sports (3 September), Van Dijk appeared to stamp on the leg of Onana during the closing stages of the derby draw at Goodison Park.
The Netherlands international was shown a yellow card for the challenge and referee Anthony Taylor was not referred to the pitchside monitor by VAR.
Van Dijk would have missed Liverpool’s next three domestic matches against Wolves, Chelsea, and Brighton if he was dismissed.
The decision comes as the Premier League demand a review of the VAR system by the PGMOL after other controversies involving Newcastle and West Ham.
Whelan insisted the challenge would have been a red card “any other day”.
He told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “I think he was massively lucky.
“In real time it didn’t look that bad. But when you slow it down, it looked a lot worse.
“The only thing that saved him was probably the fact that he wasn’t running at great speed. He wasn’t going in with too much force.
“But any other day, it’s a red card. If you go in side-footed, it’s not a problem.
“He was very lucky not to see a red card.”
In other news, pundit suggests real reason Andy Robertson was axed from Liverpool XI.