Virgil van Dijk explains why he was ‘annoyed’ by referee Chris Kavanagh before Man City game kicked off as Liverpool are forced into unusual Anfield experience

Before Liverpool dispatched City at Anfield on Sunday evening, Reds captain Virgil van Dijk was left peeved at official Kavanagh. The Dutchman explained that the coin toss to decide which team started at which end of the pitch happened without him being present - much to his dissatisfaction. The hosts were made to kick towards The Kop in the first half at their home ground after being turned around.

He told Sky Sports: “I was annoyed by the fact that he [referee Kavanagh] started the toss without me. I was busy with my mascot and obviously took a little bit of time, but he started the coin toss quite quickly, so I was a little bit annoyed by that because I think, just wait.”

Coin toss drama aside, Liverpool are now nine points clear at the top of the Premier League table and 11 ahead of City. They are on course to dethrone the Citizens after Pep Guardiola's team won the league a record four straight times. However, there is still a long way to go in the season.

Van Dijk's Liverpool face a tough trip to Newcastle United on Wednesday in their next Premier League encounter before travelling to local rivals Everton next Saturday.