Liverpool endured a nightmare start to their crucial Champions League clash against PSV Eindhoven at Anfield when captain Virgil van Dijk was penalised for a “baffling” handball in the opening minutes.
The incident occurred inside the first five minutes from a PSV corner when the defender bafflingly decided to thrust his arm into the air, making clear contact with the ball.
The Spanish referee immediately pointed to the penalty spot, despite the Reds captain complaining to the official that he was being held by an opponent.
His pleas, according to a report from TNT Sports coverage of the game, “fell on deaf ears,” and Ivan Perisic converted from 12 yards to give PSV the early advantage.
The error drew strong criticism from commentators. Sky Sports reporter Adam Bate observed the incident, stating:
“Van Dijk was complaining about the corner and then complaining even more about the penalty award but it is an astonishing handball, one of the easiest calls you will see for a referee. Liverpool under real pressure again.”
BBC Sport’s Jess Anderson added to the critique, asking: “What was Virgil van Dijk thinking?! I think he was waving for a foul but you can’t really get away with doing that mid-jump can you? So risky.”
Fortunately for the home side, Dominik Szoboszlai was able to tap home following Cody Gakpo’s initial effort to equalise shortly after, preventing the early error from proving catastrophic.