Virgil van Dijk deserves extended ban as Liverpool controversy analysed – pundit
Paul Robinson has claimed Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk should have been sent off against Everton on Saturday.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Spurs number one said the 31-year-old made contact “above the boot” and “on the shin” of Toffees midfielder Amadou Onana.
Van Dijk was shown a yellow card for a high and late tackle on Onana in the second half of a goalless draw at Goodison Park.
VAR official Darren England did not adjudge referee Anthony Taylor to have made a clear and obvious error, much to the dismay of Everton manager Frank Lampard.
As quoted by Sky Sports (3 September), Lampard insisted Van Dijk should have been shown a straight red.
When asked by Football Insider for his assessment of the incident, Robinson said: “It is very difficult with VAR because if you slow things down it makes it look worse.
“Having said that, if you go on recent history that was a red card.
“The game has changed and that is now a red card in the modern day. Yes, 20 years ago it wouldn’t have been a yellow but that is now a red. Van Dijk makes contact above the boot. It is on the shin.
“The worst thing is the inconsistency. One week it is a red card and the next week it is not even reviewed. by VAR. All we want from the referees is consistency. That is not within keeping with what has been going on.
“Van Dijk should have got a straight red for that.”
In other news, a pundit has claimed Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has transfer regret as Divock Origi cited.