Virgil van Dijk gets perfect revenge on Richarlison but may have VAR to thank
Virgil van Dijk gets perfect revenge on Richarlison but may have VAR to thank
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When you are as good and as cool as Virgil van Dijk, perhaps it is inevitable a referee or VAR will occasionally give you the benefit of the doubt. Although referee Craig Pawson decided Van Dijk’s early challenge on his old mate Richarlison was not worthy of a card - the Liverpool skipper did appear to send his elbow towards the Brazilian - there was a VAR check for possible violent conduct. Van Dijk did not catch the Spurs forward above the shoulders but it certainly looked like a bookable offence.
Perhaps Richarlison’s play-acting reputation did not help but it would not be unfair to suggest Van Dijk - booked only three times this season - does not get harshly judged by a lot of officials. And, in an incident soon after, as if to emphasise what he thought of Richarlison’s theatrics, Van Dijk pulled the old playing-field trick of offering a hand to someone but to take it away when they responded.
With Richarlison the ‘victim’, it was amusing if probably the least mature thing Van Dijk has done on a football pitch in a long time. Mind you, he knew embarrassing the ex-Everton player would go down well at Anfield and Richarlison does get under a lot of skin, even if it was still a bit harsh to hear him getting a taunting farewell when he had to limp off with a calf injury just before half-time.
Don’t forget, Richarlison has said in the past that Van Dijk was not amongst the top three central defenders in the world. Well, if he wasn’t then, he most certainly is now. Van Dijk is certainly the best defender in English club football, his disdainful treatment of Richarlison and his magnificent late header proof of that. And an impending Wembley duel with Alexander Isak will be something to savour.
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