'What is VAR doing?' - Ex-PGMOL chief furious with Liverpool star controversy in 1-1 vs Tottenham
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Credit: Imago / Sky Sports Liverpool vs Tottenham: Virgil van Dijk gets away with it again, Keith Hackett asks ‘what is VAR doing?’ Mon 16 March 2026 17:00, UK Liverpool were fortunate not to go down to 10 men after Virgil van Dijk and Richarlison clashed during a 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur.That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the Reds’ No.4 should have been sent off for a Denial of a Goalscoring Opportunity (DOGSO).Arne Slot’s side had taken the lead through a sumptuous Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick, helped by goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, but found themselves pegged back in the 90th minute.Liverpool have eight games remaining in the Premier League, and with Slot already under growing pressure, a red card for Van Dijk would have done very little to settle the nerves on Sunday, 15 March. ⚽ Liverpool Matchday ⚽ Team news, line-ups, expert previews, VAR verdicts, and tactical analysis for every Reds fixture. VISIT THE LIVERPOOL MATCH HUB MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Virgil van Dijk ‘gets away’ with DOGSO on RicharlisonIn the 55th minute, Richarlison appeared set to escape and slot a shot past Alisson, only to be dragged to the floor and put off balance while taking his shot from inside the penalty area.Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “I can remember doing a piece in The Telegraph about Virgil van Dijk and seven of his clear, nailed-on offences that went unpunished.
He’s gotten away with one here. Is he holding the player?
Has he impacted the player? It’s very clearly a holding offence, one which has gone unpunished.” Premier League fans all say the same about Liverpool starPremier League fans up and down the country have come to the consensus that Van Dijk is “finished” at the top level, struggling to deal with Richarlison at 34 years of age.A couple of Liverpool fans have also agreed with the backlash, suggesting the same for Mohamed Salah, who only recently signed a two-year extension at Anfield.Van dijk has been abysmal this season, 34 year old, hes finished along with salah at the top level— Yorkshire Red (@dave100percent) March 15, 2026 View Tweet Van Dijk and Salah are absolutely finished at the top— Jay (@JFelms) March 15, 2026 View Tweet If Richarlison scored on Van Dijk after shielding him off it would’ve finished Virgil’s career #livvstot— Sam (@sportsonder) March 15, 2026 View Tweet Fans believe that Richarlison had the chance to end Van Dijk’s career had he hit the back of the net.