Virgil Van Dijk offers support to Antoine Semenyo as racist abuse branded 'absolute disgrace'

Virgil van Dijk has vowed to back Antoine Semenyo in any way possible after the Bournemouth striker made allegations of racist abuse during Liverpool's 4-2 triumph at Anfield on Friday evening. The Reds skipper has slammed the incident as an "absolute disgrace", insisting such conduct has no place in football.

The Reds kicked off their Premier League title defence with a home triumph over the Cherries, but the opening period was halted after Semenyo reported the allegations to referee Anthony Taylor, who then spoke with both bosses Arne Slot and Andoni Iraola on the touchline.

Semenyo made the complaint following a throw-in close to the Main Stand, and police are now investigating the matter, with Liverpool releasing a statement shortly after the final whistle confirming their cooperation with authorities.

Slot condemned the alleged racism directed at Semenyo, who netted Bournemouth's brace on the evening, and speaking post-match, Van Dijk mirrored his manager's sentiments whilst promising to support the Cherries forward through this difficult period, reports the Liverpool Echo

"I've had loads of conversations with him about it and first and foremost I wanted to know what happened, and I am glad the authorities are dealing with it all, that is the main thing," Van Dijk said. "But we stand with him completely and I think everyone of you here would say the same thing: these things can't happen. So anything he needs for support, I am here for him. We are all here for him, to be honest but the club as well and they are dealing with it in the right way, I am fully confident about that.

"Especially the authorities have to deal with it now and like I said these things can't happen, whatsoever. No I can't believe it and I can say these things that it shouldn't happen but unfortunately it does and it is an absolute disgrace in my eyes."

Van Dijk continued: "First and foremost these things should never happen in the world, not only football. I am happy to say I don't see it happening up until today actually and that is what I say that it is a disgrace that it could happen.

"But in general, racism is not of this world in my opinion. But if we are to be realistic, unfortunately, it still exists and that is the dangerous side of it.

"We have to deal with it in the here and now and like I said, I am here for Antoine, whenever he needs it and we are here as a club to deal with it in the best way possible because it shouldn't happen.

"What else can we do? Because this is the very odd one that has managed to be something that is a disgrace and the only thing we can do is deal with it with him personally and try to educate the next generation but that is the only way to try and kick it out in my opinion. It's tricky but that is the only way we can try and kick it out."