Fans agrees Virgil van Dijk showed ‘ultimate disrespect’ to Richarlison during off the ball incident in Carabao Cup

Virgil van Dijk’s Subtle Dig at Richarlison Amuses Fans as Liverpool Overcome Tottenham in Carabao Cup Semi-Final

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has gone viral for a moment of gamesmanship against Tottenham Hotspur forward Richarlison during their heated Carabao Cup semi-final clash at Anfield. In what many fans saw as the ultimate sign of disrespect, the Dutch defender playfully embarrassed the Brazilian forward, adding another layer of tension to an already intense encounter.

Spurs Enter with a Narrow Lead but Struggle Under Pressure

The second leg of the semi-final was set up to be a thrilling contest after Tottenham edged the first match 1-0 at home, courtesy of a late goal from Lucas Bergvall. Heading to Anfield with the advantage, Ange Postecoglou’s men knew they would face a relentless Liverpool attack in front of a passionate home crowd.
Despite missing some key players, Spurs showed impressive defensive resilience in the opening half-hour. Their new loan signing, Kevin Danso, made his debut in central defense and quickly got involved, helping to keep Liverpool at bay during the early exchanges. His presence was crucial as the visitors looked to frustrate Arne Slot’s high-intensity Liverpool side.
Liverpool, on the other hand, pushed forward aggressively, looking to break Tottenham’s defensive shape. Their relentless pressure nearly paid off when Dominik Szoboszlai found the back of the net, seemingly leveling the tie. However, as the home crowd erupted in celebration, the assistant referee quickly raised his flag, ruling the goal out for offside.
Despite that setback, Liverpool didn’t have to wait long to get on the scoresheet. In the 34th minute, Dutch forward Cody Gakpo broke the deadlock with a clinical finish into the bottom left corner, sending Anfield into a frenzy. The goal erased Spurs’ first-leg advantage, setting the stage for a dramatic second half.

Van Dijk’s Cold Move Leaves Richarlison Embarrassed

While the match was filled with high-quality football, one of the most talked-about moments wasn’t a goal or a key pass—it was Virgil van Dijk’s subtle taunt towards Richarlison.
Early in the match, Richarlison won a free kick deep in his own half after being brought down by a Liverpool player. As he sat on the turf, briefly catching his breath, Van Dijk walked over and extended his hand, seemingly offering to help him back to his feet.
However, just as Richarlison reached out to accept the gesture, Van Dijk swiftly pulled his hand away and turned in the opposite direction, leaving the Brazilian stranded and visibly confused. The moment, captured on camera, quickly went viral as fans across social media joked that Van Dijk had humiliated the Spurs forward with the cheeky move.
For Richarlison, the night only got worse. Shortly before halftime, the forward was forced off the pitch with an injury, cutting his game short and adding to Spurs’ frustrations. His replacement, young French forward Mathys Tel, came on for his debut, but Tottenham’s attacking struggles persisted.

Liverpool Take Control in the Second Half

With the tie balanced at 1-1 on aggregate, the second half was always going to be decisive. Tottenham tried to regain composure, but Liverpool maintained their dominance, pinning the visitors deep into their own half.
Liverpool’s persistence paid off when they were awarded a penalty midway through the second half. Darwin Nunez, who had been a constant menace for the Spurs defense, was brought down inside the box by goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky. The referee immediately pointed to the spot, leaving Tottenham’s hopes of a comeback hanging by a thread.
As expected, Mohamed Salah stepped up to take the penalty. The Egyptian forward, known for his composure under pressure, sent Kinsky the wrong way, coolly placing the ball into the net. The goal put Liverpool 2-0 up on the night and 2-1 on aggregate, completing their turnaround and leaving Spurs with an uphill battle.

Newcastle Await Liverpool in the Final

With Liverpool securing the win, their focus now turns to the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on March 16, where they will face Newcastle United.
Eddie Howe’s side booked their place in the final with an impressive 4-0 aggregate victory over Arsenal. They followed up their 2-0 first-leg win at the Emirates with another 2-0 triumph at St James’ Park, courtesy of goals from Jacob Murphy and Anthony Gordon. The Magpies, aiming for their first major domestic trophy in decades, will be eager to cause an upset at Wembley.
For Tottenham, the defeat marks a disappointing end to their Carabao Cup campaign. Postecoglou’s side now shift their focus back to the Premier League, where they remain in contention for a top-four finish. With injuries mounting and squad depth being tested, Spurs will need to regroup quickly to keep their ambitions for Champions League qualification alive.
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s hunt for silverware under Arne Slot continues. The Reds remain competitive on multiple fronts, and lifting the Carabao Cup could provide them with a significant boost heading into the final stretch of the season.