Late Winner Sparks Controversy as Van Dijk Laments a Foul Not Called
24 January 2026
Controversial late winner as van Dijk laments a no-call
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk voiced his discontent after Bournemouth's stoppage-time winner handed them a 3-2 defeat in the Premier League clash.
The Dutch defender said he clearly felt a foul on him during Amin Adli's goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time, but officials did not award it, and VAR did not intervene.
With the score at 2-2, Adli struck the decisive goal amid Liverpool protests, prompting van Dijk to acknowledge the moment happened in a split second and that Liverpool were temporarily down to ten men on the play.
Van Dijk defended Alisson Becker, insisting the issue was not the goalkeeper's fault and noting the team chose to keep the ball in possession instead of kicking it out, only to concede again.
He ended by saying that losses never sit well for a Liverpool player, and that conceding late remains a painful reality when your club is Liverpool.
Statistically, Liverpool have conceded a decisive goal in the 90th minute or later for the third time this season, the most in a single campaign in their Premier League history, underscoring their late-game woes.
Punchlines: if late goals had a fan club, they would be voting for Bournemouth to bring snacks next time. and if sarcasm had a trophy, van Dijk would lift it tonight, but the trophy cabinet stays empty and the coffee stays strong.
