Liverpool supporters were left puzzled after Chelsea substitute Emmanuel Emegha inexplicably shoved Virgil van Dijk during Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup clash at Anfield.
According to Empire of the Kop, the unusual incident occurred in the 72nd minute of the match, shortly after Emegha entered the game.
What happened?
Van Dijk had just played a backward pass to Trey Nyoni when Emegha suddenly charged towards the Liverpool captain and shoved him in the chest, sending him to the ground.
The incident appeared particularly strange because the ball had already been played and was nowhere near the two players.
Van Dijk looked bemused as he got back to his feet and exchanged words with the referee, Darren England. The incident also attracted attention because it seemed unnecessary, given the circumstances.
Despite the confrontation, Van Dijk was not seriously injured. He was substituted in the 72nd minute, with Jeremy Jacquet coming on to replace him.
Liverpool eventually had the last laugh
The match finished 1-1 after 90 minutes, with Morgan Rogers scoring for Chelsea before Cody Gakpo equalised from the penalty spot.
Liverpool subsequently won 6-5 on penalties, securing their place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
Emegha also had a difficult moment in the shootout after his penalty was saved by Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.
What remains unclear is why Emegha decided to shove Van Dijk in that moment. The incident quickly became a talking point among football supporters.
