Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has condemned the racial abuse aimed at Ghana striker Antoine Semenyo during the Premier League opener at Anfield on Friday night.

The game was briefly halted in the 29th minute after the AFC Bournemouth forward reported the incident to referee Anthony Taylor under the league’s anti-discrimination protocol.

Despite the abuse, Semenyo responded with a brace in Bournemouth’s 4-2 defeat to Liverpool.

Speaking after the match, Van Dijk strongly condemned the act and offered support to the 25-year-old.

“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,” the Dutch defender told Sky Sports.
“But we stand with him completely.”

Merseyside Police confirmed the arrest of a 47-year-old man on Saturday on suspicion of racially aggravated public order offences.

Both clubs, as well as the Premier League, have condemned the incident, with the league confirming that a full investigation is underway.