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And the Reds captain has branded the incident an "absolute disgrace", saying such behaviour has no place in football.

The Reds began the defence of their Premier League crown with a home victory over the Cherries but the first half was brought to a halt after Semenyo relayed the allegations to referee Anthony Taylor, who subsequently consulted with both managers in Arne Slot and Andoni Iraola pitchside.

Semenyo made the complaint after taking a throw-in near the Main Stand and a police investigation into the incident is now underway, with a statement from Liverpool, released shortly after full time, confirming they are helping the authorities in their efforts.



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Slot condemned the alleged racism towards Semenyo, who scored Bournemouth's two goals on the night, and speaking after the game, Van Dijk echoed the comments made by his boss and said he will help the Cherries star through the ordeal in whatever way he can.

"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.

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.

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"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 added: "First and foremost these things should never happen in the world, not only football.

But if we are to be realistic, unfortunately, it still exists and that is the dangerous side of it.

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"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."

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