Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has condemned the racial abuse directed at Ghanaian striker Antoine Semenyo during the Premier League opener at Anfield on Friday night, pledging his support to the Bournemouth forward.
The match was briefly halted in the 29th minute after Semenyo reported the abuse to referee Anthony Taylor.
Despite the disruption, play resumed, with Liverpool eventually securing a 4-2 victory. Semenyo, undeterred by the incident, scored twice for his side.
“I am here for Antoine, whenever he needs it, and we are here as a club to deal with it in the best way possible because it shouldn’t happen,” the Dutch defender told Sky Sports.
“But we stand with him completely,” he added.
Merseyside Police have since arrested a 47-year-old man in connection with the alleged abuse.
Both clubs and the Premier League have strongly condemned the incident, with the league confirming that a full investigation has been launched.
