Virgil van Dijk criticised the use of VAR after Liverpool's 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at Anfield, insisting his side were denied a clear penalty. The Premier League champions took the lead through Kai Havertz's first-half goal, leaving the Reds frustrated by two first-half penalty appeals that were waved away by referee Andy Madley and VAR.
Captain Questions Officials
The most contentious moment came when Jurrien Timber appeared to pull Alexander Isak's shirt as the striker attempted to reach a cross from Bradley Barcola. Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Van Dijk said: "It was a clear penalty on Isak. It's a penalty but today it wasn't meant to be."
When asked whether Isak should have protested the decision more visibly, Van Dijk responded: "VAR doesn't notice it? There are 50 cameras. Why does he have to complain when there's so many cameras? Everyone has seen it. At the end of the day, it wasn't given so congratulations to Arsenal."
Manager and Pundit Reactions
Head coach Andoni Iraola also expressed his frustration during his post-match media duties, suggesting the striker may have needed to go to ground to win the decision. He said: "There is a clear grab [of] the shirt. Alex [Isak] was just in front of him, he was going to head in front of the goal but couldn't because he had the shirt. I don't understand why they didn't call it, probably because he has not gone to the floor."
Iraola added: "I think the Gakpo one was not a penalty but the Alex one he was going to head the ball in front of the goalkeeper. He grabbed the shirt. I don't understand why it wasn't called. You have to dive, if you don't dive they won't call it. That's the problem we have with the game. Because he doesn't dive and go to the floor. The fact that you are even asking me if he should go to the floor, if he goes to the floor, they call the penalty 100 percent."
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher was equally critical of the decision, saying VAR failed in its purpose. He said: "One of the best goalscorers in the league is pulled back seven yards out and it stops him heading the ball - why does he need to make a meal of it? VAR do your job."
