Joe Cole thinks that Liverpool were lucky not to be punished for a first-half tackle on Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher.
The Reds dominated the opening period at Anfield on Wednesday night and peppered Djordje Petrovic’s goal with shots but could easily have given away a spot kick before taking the lead.
On a rare Chelsea break the ball fell to Gallagher inside the Liverpool penalty area only for the move to be stopped when Van Dijk stepped in.
Gallagher was sent tumbling under the challenge on the edge of the six-yard box only to see referee Paul Tierney totally unmoved as play was waved on.
VAR reviewed the decision but saw nothing wrong with the on-field call.
Speaking on commentary, Ally McCoist felt that Jurgen Klopp’s side were fortunate to get away with the incident. Cole went one step further.
The former Chelsea and Liverpool midfielder said, “Sterling goes into the box and Gallagher takes a lovely touch, Van Dijk just squares himself off and I think he just leans into him there.
“For me, that is a penalty. In front of the Kop in the first 10 minutes, I think the referee has not been brave there.”
Liverpool made their early territory count, scoring after 23 minutes when Diogo Jota squirmed through a crowd of Chelsea bodies.
The visitors were then sanctioned themselves before the break as Ben Chilwell was booked for diving as he looked to win a penalty himself.
