In the fourth minute, a cross from PSV's left wing saw Van Dijk raise his arm too high, handling the ball inside the box. The Liverpool captain argued that Jerdy Schouten pulled him, but the referee awarded a penalty. Thirty-six-year-old midfielder Ivan Perisic converted the penalty, firing it low to the right to open the scoring for the visitors.

Van Dijk's handball incident during Liverpool's defeat to PSV at Anfield, Liverpool, United Kingdom, on the evening of 26/11. *Photo: Reuters*

On social media, Van Dijk faced ridicule for the handball. "@FIFABrit commented on X, calling him "volleyball expert Virgil van Dijk.""

"@kovenzii responded, "I'm sure they want coach Arne Slot fired. There's no way Slot told players to play volleyball like that. Van Dijk is truly foolish and deserves criticism.""

Van Dijk also received a yellow card and a 3-point rating from the English Daily Mail, the lowest of the match. The newspaper commented, "He is the best center-back in the world, but he did not show it today.""

Ibrahima Konate, another Liverpool center-back, received a 3,5-point rating after an error led to PSV's third goal. The French international misjudged the ball, allowing Ricardo Pepi to break free and hit the post. Couhaib Driouech then scored the rebound, extending PSV's lead to 3-1. The Daily Mail stated, "Konate needs to be dropped immediately. He has made too many mistakes this season.""

Mohamed Salah, also a star player, was Liverpool's third lowest-rated performer. The Egyptian played ineffectively for 90 minutes, managing only one shot wide of the post. "Last season there were times Salah looked like a superhuman," the newspaper noted. "We even said give him a blank check. Now he looks sad. Another harmless game.""

With 9 defeats in their last 12 matches, Liverpool is enduring its worst run of form since 1953. Their chances of defending the Premier League title are dwindling. If coach Slot's squad does not halt this decline soon, they also face an early exit from the Champions League.

By Hoang An