Virgil van Dijk was incensed with a officiating decision during Liverpool’s clash with Arsenal which caused him to make a gesture at referee Chris Kavanagh

Liverpool fans believe that Virgil van Dijk stunningly asked referee Chris Kavanagh if he’d been drinking after fouling Gabriel Jesus.

Liverpool drew 1-1 with Arsenal at Anfield in a result that keeps Mikel Arteta’s side top at Christmas

Virgil van Dijk was fuming with referee Chris Kavanaugh

Fans think the Liverpool captain asked the referee if he’d been drinking

The Liverpool skipper played all 90 minutes in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal at Anfield which leaves Mikel Arteta’s side top at Christmas. The Reds remain second in the table but could have leapfrogged their rivals with a win on Saturday (December 23).

It was a hard-fought contest between the two top sides but Van Dijk’s frustration almost got the better of him during the match.

The Dutch captain was adjuged to have fouled Jesus on the halfway line in the second half which left the 32-year-old angered by Chris Kavanagh’s decision. Van Dijk’s reaction was caught by cameras in which he appeared to ask the referee if he had been drinking, even gesturing the action of having a drink.

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Fans on social media immediately took to social media as a clip of Van Dijk’s reaction was splashed across the internet. One X user wrote: “Van Dijk has just asked the referee if he’s been drinking?” while another commented: “Van Dijk’s just asked the ref what he’s drinking and not been booked for it btw.”

A third fan was surprised that the Liverpool skipper wasn’t handed a booking as they asked: “No yellow? How odd”.

One Liverpool fan displayed his pride for the Dutchman as he said: “My captain what a legend”.

If the FA decide that Van Dijk has committed an offence, he could be charged for insulting behaviour towards a match official. It will become clear over the coming days if the Liverpool skipper will be in hot water.

Van Dijk’s escape of a booking was certainly a surprise given there’s been a clampdown on players venting their frustrations and talking back to referees. Mohamed Salah was given a yellow card in the same match by Kavanagh for protesting against a foul he was adjudged to have committed.

Diogo Dalot of Manchester United has arguably been the most well-known casualty of the new rule, having received two yellow cards in the nick of time during last week’s 0-0 draw with Liverpool after arguing with referee Michael Oliver.