Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk says he stands with Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo after the 25-year-old reported racial abuse during the first half of the opening Premier League game of the new season.

"But we stand with him completely and I think every one of you here would say the same thing: these things can't happen.

Especially the authorities have to deal with it now and like I said these things can't happen, whatsoever."

Liverpool won the game through late goals from Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah, but the result was overshadowed by the allegations made in the first half.

Merseyside Police issue statement on alleged racism towards Antoine Semenyo	Virgil van Dijk stands by Antoine Semenyo and brands racist abuse 'absolute disgrace' at Liverpool	Bournemouth captain rages over alleged racial abuse of Antoine Semenyo

"No, I can't believe it," Van Dijk said.

"I can say these things that it shouldn't happen, but unfortunately it does, and it is an absolute disgrace in my eyes.

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

"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."

Premier League stars have taken the knee in recent times, while there have been campaigns such as Kick Racism out of Football aimed at educating those involved in the game and preventing instances of racism