Virgil van Dijk's savage prank on Richarlison spotted as fans laugh at 'grade A troll'

Liverpool fans spotted Virgin van Dijk's ruthless gesture towards Richarlison during the Reds' 4-0 demolition of Tottenham in the Carabao Cup

Ex-Everton striker Richarlison was on the wrong end of a Virgil van Dijk prank which delighted Liverpool supporters.

The joke-gesture made by the Dutch defender happened during Liverpool's 4-0 thrashing of Tottenham at Anfield. Ange Postecoglou's men went into the second-leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final 1-0 up, only to concede four in Merseyside.

Even though Van Dijk scored the fourth goal in the game with a storming header, it was something he did earlier in the match that put a smile on the face of all Liverpool fans - after he had avoided a red card for an earlier incident involving the Brazilian flop.

Richarlison had found himself on the ground near his own box after being fouled by the 33-year-old defender. Six-foot-four Van Dijk then looked to offer his opponent a hand to get up. However, when Richarlison reached for the Dutchman's hand, Van Dijk pulled it away and ran off - reminding many fans of the classic playground prank at school.

"Van Dijk stuck his hand out to pretend he was gonna help Richarlison up and then ran off he’s a grade A troll," one fan said on X. Another thought the Liverpool defender earned "an extra 50k a week on his new contract for that alone".

A third fan wrote: "My kind of petty from my captain," as a fourth added: "Has to be hands down the best moment of the season lol."

The incident would have enraged the Spurs forward even more after many viewers thought Van Dijk was lucky to still be on the pitch following an elbow on the Brazilian.

Just three minutes into the game, the Dutchman seemed to swing his elbow into Richarlison with no interest in going for the ball. However, while Van Dijk's elbow appeared to connect with his rival's chest, Richarlison collapsed theatrically while clutching at his face.

Liverpool will now face Newcastle at Wembley in the Carabao Cup final. The Magpies beat Arsenal a combined 4-0 across both legs, leaving Mikel Arteta's only chance of a trophy being the Premier League or Champions League.