Gerrard makes feelings clear on Van Dijk's complaints in Liverpool defeat

Virgil van Dijk was furious after giving away a penalty in the first-half before Liverpool's embarrassing defeat against PSV on Wednesday night

Steven Gerrard and Steve McManaman both agreed it was the correct decision to penalise Virgil van Dijk during Liverpool's shock defeat against PSV. The Reds captain was adjudged to have handled the ball by Spanish referee Alejandro Hernandez following an in-swinging corner with just minutes on the clock.

Van Dijk's hand was positioned well above his head, and he argued that he was impeded during the set piece, which caused his hand to be in an unnatural position. However, neither the official nor the Video Assistant Referee were persuaded.

Ivan Perisic converted from the spot and sent Giorgi Mamardashvili the wrong way to put the Eredivisie side ahead after five minutes. The two Liverpool legends were in the studio at Anfield to analyse the key talking points from the Reds' Champions League clash.

Both felt there could be no arguments from the home side. McManaman said: "Considering what we spoke about before the game. Only Virgil will be able to tell you what he thought because it looked like his left arm was being held by [Jerdy] Schouten and his right arm shoots up.

"It's a penalty, you really can't contest it. There's only one person who'll tell us what's going through his mind at that specific mind."

Gerrard added: "I don't think there was enough in it for that kind of reaction. I think the penalty was quite clear. Perisic steps up with experience and puts them one in front. It was a nightmare start for Liverpool from the off."

Liverpool hit back and piled pressure on their visitors before equalising. Cody Gakpo, facing his former club, danced inside before his effort was pushed away towards Dominik Szoboszlai, who was perfectly positioned to fire into an unguarded net.

It proved the ideal response from Liverpool after falling behind. The Croatian's spot-kick meant that Arne Slot's team have now conceded first in nine of their previous 12 fixtures, with their defensive issues continuing.

However, Liverpool found their rhythm and pressed for a second, with Gakpo threatening before Hugo Ekitike and Virgil van Dijk were both thwarted ahead of half-time. McManaman continued: "Liverpool have responded since then, they've been excellent."

The second half proved to be a disaster, though, with Guus Til striking just before the hour mark to give the Dutch side an unlikely lead.

Matters got even worse for Liverpool, who are already in the midst of a rotten run, when Couhaib Driouech turned in from close range to extend PSV's advantage. Driouech then grabbed his second of the night in added time to pile the misery on Liverpool and seal a famous win.

The embarrassing defeat - Liverpool's third on the bounce - leaves Arne Slot's men outside the automatic top-8 qualifying positions and piles the pressure on the Dutchman, whose future is now in some doubt.