What did Van Dijk do after youngster Amara Nallo received red card for second game in a row? Liverpool captain’s response during EFL Cup exit revealed

Liverpool youngster Amara Nallo received a red card in their EFL Cup Fourth Round clash against Crystal Palace at Anfield on Wednesday, October 29. Club captain Virgil van Dijk, who was on the bench, was seen following him into the tunnel after his sending off.

The Merseysiders faced Crystal Palace for the third time this season in a third different competition. They lost 3-0, making it three defeats in three games against the Eagles. Arne Slot featured a highly rotated side with Virgil van Dijk on the bench.

Meanwhile, Amara Nallo came on for Liverpool in the 67th minute to replace Alexis Mac Allister. In the 79th minute, he brought down Justin Devenny for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity. When he was sent off, Van Dijk was seen following the 18-year-old into the tunnel.

Stephen Warnock said on commentary for BBC Radio 5 Live (h/t Liverpool.com):

"What a horrible feeling for the youngster. There is nothing worse than knowing you have been sent off on your debut. Then there is the next game, you make an error and it leads to another sending off. I have just seen Virgil van Dijk walk down the tunnel. You have to try to pick the youngster up."

Nallo has made just two senior appearances for the Merseysiders and has been sent off in both. He made his senior debut in their 3-2 defeat against PSV Eindhoven in the UEFA Champions League on January 30 this year. Nallo received a red card in that game in the 87th minute for a similar tackle.

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Liverpool's poor run continues as they crash out of EFL Cup

The Reds had reached the final of the EFL Cup last season, losing against Newcastle United. However, they have been eliminated in the fourth round this campaign after losing 3-0 against Crystal Palace at Anfield on Wednesday.

Ismaila Sarr gave the Eagles the lead in the 41st minute before doubling it four minutes later. Yeremy Pino completed the scoring in the 88th minute. This is the third time Palace have beaten Liverpool this season. They won the FA Community Shield on penalties and beat them 2-1 at Selhurst Park in the Premier League on September 27.

Incidentally, it also started the poor run for the Reds, which has seen them lose six of their last seven games across competitions, winning one. They are seventh in the Premier League standings, seven points behind leaders Arsenal. They will next face Aston Villa at Anfield on Saturday, November 1.

Edited by Aditya Singh