Virgil van Dijk, the captain of Liverpool, was sent out for violent behavior during Sunday’s 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium, according to Arsenal supporters.

In the eighteenth minute, Van Dijk headed in a corner kick to give Liverpool the first of their two equalizers.

The goal had previously been opened in the eighth minute by Bukayo Saka. Later in the game, Mohamed Salah and Mikel Merino both scored goals. However, Van Dijk’s penalty for an off-the-ball foul on Kai Havertz preceded all of those goals.

Van Dijk took the ball from Liverpool goalie Caoimhin Kelleher in the sixth minute, while the score was still locked at 0-0, and then passed it to Andy Robertson on the left.

Havertz had closed down Van Dijk, however the German did not even try to tackle him. When the ball was gone, Van Dijk used his right hand to shove Havertz away. Then it seemed as though the former Southampton defender purposefully and violently drove his left leg into the Arsenal striker.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk (right) seemed to lash out at Arsenal’s Kai Havertz on Sunday

The incident happened just after Van Dijk had played a pass to Andy Robertson (bottom right)

Havertz tumbled to the ground and Arsenal were swiftly awarded a free-kick by the referee

However, even though many supporters believed Van Dijk ought to have been sent off, he was not shown a card.

Referee Anthony Taylor awarded Van Dijk a free kick but did not issue him a card. In response to Van Dijk’s infraction, Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville said, “He was stupid, Van Dijk.” He got into a little dispute with him and just backed in. Neville said, “A little elbow and then that,” as he watched a playback. He does kick out at him, too. Ignorant. His doing it isn’t actually required. Taylor’s apparent indulgence angered many Gunners supporters. On X, formerly Twitter, one irate user posted: “How the F*** has Van Dijk got away with that???” Not even a yellow card for booting someone off the ball and punching them???? Someone more wrote: “VAR would have called the referee and a straight red card would have been issued if an Arsenal player had done what Van Dijk just did to Kai Havertz.” Another Gunners supporter voiced a similar grievance, saying, “And this was a red card infraction from Van Dijk but he wasn’t wearing an Arsenal uniform.” Arsenal’s anger only intensified after Van Dijk was added to the scoresheet.

Dutchman Van Dijk scored a goal for Liverpool less than 15 minutes after his foul on Havertz

Havertz pictured (left) complaining to referee Anthony Taylor after the final whistle on Sunday

One fan complained, “So Van Dijk equalizes not long after he should have been sent off.”

“Ah,” said another. Van Dijk ought to have been sent off with a score. Naturally.

Three Arsenal players, Declan Rice, Leandro Trossard, and William Saliba, are among the fourteen players who have been sent off in the Premier League thus far this season.

Due to Sunday’s outcome, Liverpool is now one point behind leaders Manchester City in the league.

With four points more than Liverpool, Arsenal is in third place.