Virgil van Dijk’s worst performance for Liverpool reveals a bigger problem

Mike McGrath Thu, 27 November 2025 at 6:05 am UTC·3 min read It will go down as one of the most bizarre penalties conceded in the Champions League this season. Virgil van Dijk, the Liverpool captain standing at 6ft 5in, had his hand in the air and swatted the ball like a slam dunk. Van Dijk had felt an arm around him from his Netherlands centre-back partner Jerdy Schouten, but it is unthinkable for any player to stop play expecting a foul to be given, no matter how blatant.Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement “I think he got a little push and that is what I saw,” said Arne Slot, his manager. “It unbalanced him but I don’t think the VAR will overturn moments...