In a dramatic Carabao Cup semi-final clash, Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk escaped a red card for an elbow incident against Richarlison.
Notably, referee Craig Pawson and VAR upheld the on-field decision, and the incident quickly became the talk of the match.
During the game, van Dijk appeared to stick an elbow into Richarlison’s face, which immediately set the tone. Moreover, the contact sent the Brazilian crashing to the ground, igniting a heated exchange between the two on the pitch.
Immediately after the collision, Richarlison clutched his face and cried out. Then, he got to his feet and remonstrated with van Dijk, who later put his team on the scoresheet as Liverpool continued to dominate.
Furthermore, Craig Pawson chose not to take any disciplinary action, and VAR confirmed this decision. In addition, on commentary, Ally McCoist remarked that van Dijk “got away with it” because the elbow was just below the chin, a detail that spared him a red card.
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Subsequently, van Dijk added insult to injury by flooring Richarlison in another duel later in the match. Then, after offering his hand to help his rival up, he left Richarlison hanging and walked away, a move that further inflamed tensions.
Consequently, fans reacted passionately to the unfolding drama. Some argued that the contact did not warrant a red card, while Spurs fans were left fuming. One fan tweeted, “Unbelievable. Straight red if he moves his elbow to the player’s face, which he did, but waved away by VAR. Joke.” Another commented, “Should be a red. He swung it out to fend Richarlison away. It’s deliberate action.”
Meanwhile, Liverpool continued their dominant display by cruising to a thumping 4-0 win over Tottenham. They recorded goals from Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, and Dominik Szoboszlai before van Dijk wrapped up the night with a powerful header.
In conclusion, the incident remains one of the most contentious moments of the match. Ultimately, van Dijk’s controversial actions and the referee’s decision will be remembered as key talking points from a game filled with drama, passion, and fierce competition.
