Virgil van Dijk appeared to question the referee’s sobriety with the phrase “Have you been drinking?” as he was being penalized.
During the pivotal match between Liverpool and Arsenal, the referee’s performance left Van Dijk visibly surprised. The tightly contested game concluded in a draw.
Amid the intense match between Liverpool and Arsenal, Virgil van Dijk seemed to query referee Chris Kavanagh about his drinking habits. This moment occurred as the Liverpool captain held a drink, raising questions about the situation. A video circulating online captured Van Dijk’s interaction with Kavanagh, suggesting a possible inquiry regarding the referee’s sobriety. If these remarks were indeed made, Van Dijk might have been fortunate to avoid consequences had Kavanagh heard them.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp expressed bewilderment about the decision-making process, particularly regarding a potential penalty call that wasn’t given. With Liverpool now trailing Arsenal by only one point in the standings, Klopp believed his team should have been awarded a penalty.
Klopp stated, “The penalty situation is puzzling; when you look at it, I’m unsure how it isn’t a penalty.” He expressed uncertainty about whether the referee had a clear view. Jamie Carragher, a prominent figure from Liverpool, concurred with Klopp, asserting that Odegaard was fortunate not to receive a penalty.
However, commentator Gary Neville supported the decision to dismiss the penalty claims. He theorized that Odegaard’s slip might have influenced the non-call, suggesting that the slip inadvertently caused an arm movement while attempting to regain balance.