Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk will not face any additional punishment for an off-the-ball incident with Arsenal’s Kai Havertz during their 2-2 draw at the Emirates, reports The Times.
Van Dijk dismissed claims that he should have received a red card for allegedly kicking Havertz, describing the incident as “just part of the game.”
The clash happened in the sixth minute, with Havertz hitting the ground after Van Dijk appeared to shove him with his arm before seemingly kicking him twice with his left leg.
Referee Anthony Taylor did not intervene, and Van Dijk went on to score Liverpool’s equalizer from a Trent Alexander-Arnold corner.
Arsenal initially took the lead twice through goals by Bukayo Saka and Mikel Merino, while Liverpool responded with goals from Mohamed Salah and Van Dijk. An injury to Jurrien Timber impacted Arsenal’s play. Van Dijk downplayed the incident, saying, “Football is a physical game, and things like this happen.”
Liverpool now leads Arsenal by four points in the Premier League, trailing Manchester City by just one point. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was disappointed with missed chances, particularly in the first half. “We should have had a bigger lead in the first half,” he remarked. “They came back stronger in the second half, and we lacked courage.” Arsenal now sits five points behind City, needing to pick up pace in the title race.
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