Virgil van Dijk celebrates after Liverpool's win over PSG in the Champions League
Late win: Virgil van Dijk celebrates after Liverpool’s smash-and-grab victory over PSG in the Champions League
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk appeared to witheringly dismiss Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Luis Campos’ frustrated complaints to the referee in new tunnel footage circulating from the Parc des Princes.
Liverpool beat PSG 1-0 in their Champions League last-16 first-leg tie in the French capital on Wednesday night after substitute Harvey Elliott scored just 47 seconds after being introduced by Arne Slot as a late replacement for Mohamed Salah.
It was the very definition of a smash-and-grab victory for Slot’s side in an otherwise extremely one-sided heavyweight battle of the respective champions-elect of France and England, with goalkeeper Alisson Becker hailed for the performance of his career as he made nine crucial saves with dominant PSG having a total of 27 shots, 10 on target.
January signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia saw a first-half effort ruled out for a marginal offside following a VAR check, while PSG were also furious after Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate got away with a last-man barge on France team-mate Bradley Barcola as he sped through on goal.
Italian referee Davide Massa did not award a foul and the decision was upheld after a lengthy check for a potential red card by VAR Aleandro Di Paolo and his assistant Daniele Chiffi.
It was a decision that incensed PSG, with reports on Wednesday night of frustrated sporting director Campos protesting in the tunnel after the half-time whistle and insisting to the referee that it had to be either a red card or a penalty.
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Footage of said incident has now emerged on social media after being caught by the cameras of French broadcasters Canal+, with an increasingly animated Campos heard repeatedly saying, louder each time: “It’s a red card or a penalty, in every part of the world.”
The video also captures the dismissive response of Reds skipper Van Dijk, who can be heard saying: “Come on bro, it’s not Ligue 1 brother. Eh, it’s not Ligue 1 here bro.”
Former England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand felt PSG had been hard done by in his role as a pundit on TNT Sports’ coverage of the match, stating: “I can’t believe how lucky Liverpool are here. How has VAR not picked it up? He is barging between the shoulder blades on his back.”