03 March 2024 , 10:22
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Virgil van Dijk was left stunned during the chaotic scenes that saw Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis confront referee Paul Tierney following Liverpool's dramatic 1-0 win at the City Ground.
Substitute Darwin Nunez scored a 99th minute winner for the Reds to move them four points clear at the top of the Premier League table. However, the goal did not come without controversy. Forest felt Liverpool shouldn't have even had the ball in the first place.
As Callum Hudson-Odoi was in control of the ball on the left-hand side, Ibrahima Konate went down with a head injury after colliding with Ryan Yates and Caoimhin Kelleher. Much to the annoyance of the Forest players and fans, Tierney rightfully decided to stop the game.
But once the game was ready to restart, Tierney gave an uncontested drop ball to Liverpool - even though Forest had possession when play was halted. Jurgen Klopp's side went up the other end and scored, causing chaos to strike as the Forest players, staff and even owner Marinakis protested to the officials after the full-time whistle.
Amid all the fury, Liverpool captain Van Dijk appeared to cut a bewildered figure at the scale of Forest's frustration. A clip captured by Sky Sports seemed to show the Dutchman question the complaints of Forest.
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Van Dijk then tried to cool down the situation as Forest coach Steven Reid was sent off and substitute Felipe was yellow carded by Tierney, who was surrounded by players and staff. Meanwhile, Klopp was delighted as he celebrated in front of the travelling Liverpool supporters.
When asked for his verdict on the controversial decision, Klopp said: "It happened exactly the same in the first half didn't it? Exactly the same, just the other way round.
Did the referee make the correct decision? Let us know in the comments below!
Virgil van Dijk cut a bewildered figure after the full-time whistle (Getty Images)"I accepted it would happen like that because it happened in the first half. If it didn’t happen in the first half, I would have asked the question as well. I would assume that's the rule, I don't know. But because it happened twice and got handled exactly the same, I don't really see their reasons for a discussion."
Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo, however, decided against being drawn on the situation. "I will not comment on the referee," the Portuguese said. "Please don't insist on that, it will not be good. It will be a discussion point, for sure, in the week. I hope the decisions will be better."
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