Van Dijk says Liverpool penalty claim was ‘clear’ in Arsenal defeat

Virgil van Dijk criticised the refereeing after Liverpool’s 1-0 defeat by Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday, questioning why VAR did not review a possible penalty for the home side.

The Liverpool captain believed Alexander Isak’s shirt was pulled inside the penalty area and said the incident should have resulted in a spot-kick.

“Why does anyone need to complain more when there are all these cameras?” the Netherlands defender told Sky Sports. “It was a clear incident and everyone saw it, but in the end no penalty was given and, unfortunately, we lost the game. Congratulations to Arsenal.”

Van Dijk also made a sarcastic reference to the frustration surrounding the officials’ decisions after receiving a yellow card towards the end of the match.

“I was booked near the end, so perhaps I was sharing that feeling with the crowd as well,” he added.

The result was Liverpool’s second Premier League defeat of the season, leaving Van Dijk disappointed despite his side creating opportunities at Anfield.

“We played at home and had some chances, and we certainly gave everything we could,” he said.

However, the Liverpool captain felt his team should have applied greater pressure during the closing stages, particularly by putting more balls into Arsenal’s penalty area.

“We could have played better in the final 15 minutes and delivered more balls into the box, but it was not enough today, which is why I am very disappointed,” Van Dijk said.

Liverpool improved after Arsenal took the lead and created a significant opportunity through Alexis Mac Allister, but the chance was not converted and the hosts were unable to change the outcome.

Van Dijk returned to the penalty appeal when asked about the incident involving Isak, saying he had watched it again and believed similar situations had resulted in penalties previously.

“I think it was a clear penalty. I watched the incident again and I have seen similar penalties given on other occasions, but it was not to be for us today,” he said.

The Champions League listings associated with the fixtures show Fenerbahce, Liverpool, Slavia Prague and Arsenal, with the relevant matches dated 04 November 2026.