Liverpool supporters were left bemused on Thursday night after Virgil van Dijk was booed by England fans during the Three Lions' Nations League semi-final clash with the Netherlands.
The Reds centre-half captained the Dutch just days after winning the Champions League, with Ronald Koeman also starting Gini Wijnaldum in Portugal.
England manager Gareth Southgate left Jordan Henderson , Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold on the substitutes' bench, along with the likes Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane and Dele Alli, sparing the contingent from extra strain following their European exploits last weekend.
With a place in the final up against Portugal up for grabs, England fans quickly looked to unsettle the Dutch by booing Van Dijk every time he touched the ball.
Journalist Henry Winter first tweeted his disdain for the jeers, before former England and Everton striker Gary Lineker labelled such behaviour embarrassing.
Virgil van Dijk, PFA Player of the Year, imperious Liverpool footballer, European champion, role model, class act on and off the field, supporter of the Red Cross, paid for Christmas party at Anfield for 120 kids suffering from cancer, is being booed by England fans #NEDENG
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) June 6, 2019
Embarrassing. https://t.co/6g4wjHllk3
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 6, 2019
And while he wasn't the only player to receive such treatment, Liverpool fans weren't impressed either.
Audible boos from England fans for Van Dijk and Wijnaldum in particular. Classy ♂️ #LFC #NEDENG https://t.co/iHqqxcgiCi
— George H. Xanthis (@georgeHxanthis) June 6, 2019
The fact England fans boo Van Dijk because he won the Champions League with Liverpool is just absolutely embarrassing. Just shows how good he is.
— Brad (@_bradlfc) June 6, 2019
Everyone - Boos Van Dijk when playing for the Netherlands simply because he is a Liverpool player.
— George (@FirminoFataI) June 6, 2019
Those same people - ‘It’s shocking that Liverpool fans don’t support England, nationality comes first. Shocking from you’
Simple minded.
England fans boo Virgil Van Dijk every time he touches the ball. Why are they so bitter? #NEDENG #NationsLeague
— Florent JAY-B (@FlorentJAYB) June 6, 2019
But seriously why do the England fans boo van Dijk?
— #4 (Was DutchDominance) (@EliteVanDijk) June 6, 2019
Genuinely so strange how England fans boo van Dijk, convinced it's only because he plays for Liverpool
— Stephen #SixTimes (@Stephen_LFC__) June 6, 2019
Why on earth would england fans boo Van Dijk hahahahahahaha
— max (@MFMAX23) June 6, 2019
England fans taking the time to boo Van Dijk. Bloody hillarious. Rent free in their heads.
— John Paul Walsh (@jpwred316) June 6, 2019
Van Dijk probably laughing every time he gets boo’d tbh
— cj (@ForzaLiverpooI) June 6, 2019
England fans starting to boo at Van Dijk, actually hope he scores a hatrick ♂️
— Kieranpayne01 (@kieranpayne01) June 6, 2019
England: why don’t you support England?
— B (@SturridgeStrike) June 6, 2019
Also England: Boos Van Dijk for being a Liverpool player
Is van dijk getting boo'd because he's the best CB in the world? ♂️
— JordanBoon (@lfc_jord) June 6, 2019
Van Dijk is that good, thay England fans have to specifically boo him every time he gets the ball, it’s hatred but it just shows how amazing he is
— Ritson (@RitsonLFC) June 6, 2019
If you wanna know how good van dijk is listen to those boos when he's on the ball...
— Jonny Bedford (@jonny20336909) June 6, 2019
Are the English fans that are booing Van Dijk going to boo Trent Alexander Arnold as well? I'm so confused right now
— Santos Beckham Lannister. (@LostComposure) June 6, 2019
"How can't you support your own country, you're from there?!"
— RG 6️⃣ (@_RGLFC) June 6, 2019
*England fans boo Van Dijk and Wijnaldum*
England took the lead through a Marcus Rashford penalty but were undermined by defensive errors as the Netherlands came from behind to set up a final clash with Portugal.
Matthijs de Ligt headed home to equalise before a Kyle Walker own goal and Quincy Promes tap-in clinched a 3-1 AET win for the Dutch.
