'Class': Liverpool player spotted giving a 'sign of respect' to Newcastle at full-time in the Carabao Cup final

Yesterday at 03:30 PM

Liverpool lost the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday after putting in a turgid performance.

Fingers should be pointed after the Reds failed to turn up against Newcastle.

In truth, the gruelling tie against PSG on Tuesday looked like it took it out of Liverpool, with the players a shadow of themselves from the very first minutes.

There was late drama, with the rarely seen Federico Chiesa coming on a grabbing a goal right before the final whistle.

But, in truth, the game looked finished from the moment Dan Burn headed home the opening goal in first-half stoppage time.

Once the whistle did go and Newcastle celebrations began, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk was spotted delivering a moment of ‘class’ to the opposition players.

Virgil van Dijk congratulates Newcastle

Van Dijk was one of the few Liverpool players to turn up at all on Sunday. It was not the captain’s best display by any means, but he was better than most.

This time last year Van Dijk was nodding home the winner and subsequently lifted his first trophy as Reds captain.

Unfortunately, Virgil also knows what it’s like to lose a final with the Reds, having been beaten in two Champions League finals down the years.

And after losing one more, former Liverpool player Stephen Warnock spotted Van Dijk reacting exactly the way you want your captain to after losing such an emotional occasion.

READ MORE: Arne Slot owes Federico Chiesa a big apology after Liverpool's Carabao Cup defeat to Newcastle

“There was an embrace between Virgil van Dijk and Dan Burn,” Warnock said on BBC Sport.

“Van Dijk stood at the Newcastle huddle – he went around and shook every player’s hand. He respected what Newcastle have done today. Class. A sign of respect for Newcastle.”

What next for Van Dijk?

You’d expect no less than this from a classy man such as Van Dijk, even if a few of the Newcastle players – namely Joelinton – did not deserve his applause.

For Van Dijk, it looks like it could well have been his last chance to win a cup with Liverpool.

With his contract ending in just a few short months, there’s still no news on whether the 33-year-old will be at the club next season.

Thankfully, it looks likely that Van Dijk will get the chance to lift another trophy with Liverpool, with the Reds still in a good position in the Premier League.

In reality, that will feel even better once it does hopefully arrive.