Virgil van Dijk questioned why Alexander Isak would have to make more of the shirt tug to earn a penalty when there are “50 cameras” around the stadium to see it.
The frustration from the stands and among the fanbase towards the decisions, or non-decisions, from referee Andy Madley and VAR Stuart Attwell was echoed by the Reds captain.
The biggest oversight was Jurrien Timber’s blatant tug of Isak’s shirt as he attempted to reach Bradley Barcola’s delivery into the box.
The striker made no fuss and did not remonstrate for a decision, not that it should be a prerequisite, as Van Dijk made abundantly clear to Sky Sports after the match.
“I think it was also clear penalty. I’ve seen it back,” he said.
"If he makes more of this it's a penalty"
"It's clear and blatant"
Daniel Sturridge, Ian Wright and Jamie Carragher share their thoughts on the Isak penalty claim ? pic.twitter.com/lLUXKFIYyN
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 1, 2026
“I’ve seen it being given as well other occasions, but today wasn’t it wasn’t meant to be.”
When it was put to him that Isak could have made “more of it” to alert VAR, who are said to have checked and cleared the situation, he did not entertain the idea.
“Doesn’t notice it? There are 50 cameras, if there is not even more. Why do you have to complain when there’s so many cameras?” Van Dijk rightly pointed out.
“It is spotted, isn’t it? Because everyone’s seen it. But yeah, in the end, obviously, it wasn’t given, and we lose the game, unfortunately.”
Van Dijk was shown a yellow card late in the fixture and he was blunt when asked if he shared the frustration as Liverpool fans: “I got a card towards the end, so I probably shared it as well.”
Liverpool did not manage a single shot on target from 17 attempts and 48 touches in Arsenal’s box, and thus the end result is not on the officials.
However, the idea that players have to throw themselves on the floor to earn a decision is nonsense, especially when the goal is to stamp theatrics out of the game.
Football – FA Premier League – Liverpool FC v Brighton & Hove Albion FC
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, November 1, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola applauds the supporters after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield. Liverpool lost 1-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Football – FA Premier League – Liverpool FC v Brighton & Hove Albion FC
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, November 1, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)