Football fans said Virgil van Dijk turned into a "generational meme" on Thursday night.

The Dutch centre-back featured for 72 minutes as Liverpool edged Chelsea in a Carabao Cup shootout at Anfield.

Early in the second half he became involved in a clash with Chelsea full-back Malo Gusto, leaving the 23-year-old writhing on the pitch.

How serious the contact between the 35-year-old Van Dijk and the 23-year-old Gusto was remains unclear.

Nevertheless, Liverpool captain Van Dijk made it clear he was not impressed by the Frenchman's reaction.

With Sky Sports cameras rolling, the veteran defender stood with hands on his hips, giving Gusto a disappointed stare.

Social media erupted, one X user writing: "The way Van Dijk is looking at Gusto is generational meme material."

Another added: "Van Dijk looking at Gusto like, 'you better get your a** up'."

A third user chuckled: "Van Dijk's reaction to Gusto acting is killing me."

A fourth chimed in: "Gusto goes down and Van Dijk just stands there like a disappointed dad."

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Thursday 29 October

  • Everton 19:45 LEC
  • Newcastle

Unknown date

  • Fleetwood LEC
  • TBD
  • Man City LEC Bradford
  • Palace LEC Sunderland
  • Liverpool LEC Bournemouth

Wednesday 28 October

  • Liverpool 1-1 (PENS 6-5) Chelsea
  • Bournemouth 3-0 LEC Villa
  • Fulham 0-1 LEC Palace
  • Sunderland 3-2 LEC Brentford
  • Man City 2-2 (PENS 4-3) Brighton

Tuesday 27 October

  • Fleetwood 1-1 (PENS 5-3) Arsenal

Standings currently unavailable.

Chelsea opened the scoring on Merseyside when Morgan Rogers converted a penalty five minutes before half-time.

Cody Gakpo equalised for Liverpool with a spot-kick at the break.

The tie proceeded to a tense shootout, where Kostas Tsimikas missed for Liverpool and Emmanuel Emegha missed for Chelsea.

Wesley Fofana then struck the decisive penalty in sudden death after Joe Gomez had put Liverpool ahead.