Virgil van Dijk appears to scuff penalty spot before Jarrod Bowen misses penalty

Virgil van Dijk appeared to scuff the penalty spot with his right boot during a first-half VAR check, just moments before Jarrod Bowen missed from 12 yards.

The incident took place with a couple of minutes to go in the first-half of Wednesday's Premier League clash between Liverpool and West Ham.

Bowen, who has scored 5 goals in 15 appearances for the Hammers this season, took the ball down with his chest inside the box and was soon taken out from behind by in-form Joe Gomez.

After a lengthy VAR check, the penalty was eventually awarded. But during that waiting period, it appears Virgil van Dijk scuffed the penalty spot while the review was taking place. You can see the footage below.

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson proceeded to save Bowen's spot-kick with a great save to his right, while Gomez breathed a sigh of relief as the Reds retained their 1-0 lead.

As you can imagine, Van Dijk's antics were spotted by plenty of fans on social media.

One fan commented on the incident, saying: "Van Dijk using the VAR check to scuff up the penalty spot… cheeky," while another wrote: "Whether Van Dijk scuffed it or not, that penalty was absolutely woeful."

A third said: "Happens for every penalty, just because it’s Liverpool people start losing their minds over it."

Last year, Antonio Rudiger was booked by referee Anthony Taylor after he was spotted scuffing the penalty spot during Chelsea's league clash against Liverpool.

Trevor Sinclair, who was commentating on the game for talkSPORT, said: "That is absolutely rubbish, that, from Rudiger. There’s bending the rules but that is taking absolute liberties."

Unlike Bowen's recent effort at Anfield, Mohamed Salah converted from the spot.

And on Wednesday night, Jurgen Klopp's side went into the half-time break 1-0 up thanks to an outrageous header from summer signing Darwin Nunez, while Van Dijk is on course to continue his incredible home record.

Since joining the club from Southampton in January 2018, the centre-back has never lost a Premier League game at Anfield.

Thoughts on the incident?

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