Virgil van Dijk Shocks Everyone With Early Incident Against PSV

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk left supporters baffled after a controversial incident early in their Champions League tie against PSV.

 

 

 

On Wednesday night, the Reds were hoping to recover from their disappointing 3–0 defeat to Nottingham Forest as they welcomed the Dutch side to Anfield. With Liverpool sitting 12th in the Premier League and under growing pressure, the match carried huge significance.

 

But things started poorly. Van Dijk was at the centre of a moment that stunned fans just minutes into the game. While trying to defend a cross, he lifted his arm to protest to referee Alejandro Hernandez, believing his shirt was being pulled. In the process, the ball struck his raised hand — and the referee pointed to the spot almost instantly.

 

 

 

 

Former Spurs star Ivan Perisic converted the penalty, putting PSV ahead inside five minutes.

 

Fans on X were quick to react:

• “That’s the dumbest penalty ever conceded. Van Dijk, what are we doing?”

• “Van Dijk has thrown the game in 5 minutes.”

• “He’s angry, but he should be angry at himself. What was he thinking?”

 

 

 

Liverpool responded quickly, though. Just 11 minutes later, Dominik Szoboszlai levelled the match, tapping in after Cody Gakpo’s shot was parried by goalkeeper Matej Kovar.

 

Still, the incident remains worrying for Liverpool, as this is Van Dijk’s third penalty concession of the season — the most of any Premier League player in all competitions. And his night got even worse when he received a yellow card in the 17th minute for a late tackle on Ismael Saibari.