Van Dijk's Deadpan Stare Turns Into Viral Meme After Gusto Falls at An

Van Dijk's Deadpan Stare Turns Into Viral Meme After Gusto Falls at Anfield

Virgil van Dijk's unimpressed look at Chelsea's Malo Gusto during Liverpool's Carabao Cup shootout sparked a flood of meme-ready reactions on social media.

NationPulse Desk

Oct 29, 2026 · 2:22 PM 1 min read

Key takeaways

Van Dijk played 72 minutes in Liverpool's Carabao Cup shootout win over Chelsea at Anfield on 28 October.

He clashed with Chelsea full-back Malo Gusto early in the second half, leaving Gusto writhing on the ground.

Van Dijk stood with his hands on his hips, giving a disappointed look that went viral on social media.

Chelsea led after Morgan Rogers' penalty before Cody Gakpo equalised with a spot-kick at half-time.

Wesley Fofana scored the winning penalty in sudden death after Joe Gomez had put Liverpool ahead.

Virgil van Dijk, 35, featured for 72 minutes as Liverpool secured a Carabao Cup shootout win over Chelsea at Anfield on Thursday 28 October.

Early in the second half he became involved in a clash with Chelsea full-back Malo Gusto, 23, which left the French defender writhing on the pitch.

The exact intensity of the contact remains uncertain, but the Liverpool captain made his displeasure clear.

With Sky Sports cameras focused on him, Van Dijk stood with hands on his hips, giving Gusto a look described as comically disappointed.

Social platforms erupted; one X user wrote, "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 commented, "Van Dijk's reaction to Gusto acting is killing me." A fourth said, "Gusto goes down and Van Dijk just stands there like a disappointed dad."

Chelsea took the lead on Merseyside when Morgan Rogers converted a penalty five minutes before half-time, but Cody Gakpo equalised from the spot at the break.

The match proceeded to a tense shootout: Kostas Tsimikas missed for Liverpool, Emmanuel Emegha missed for Chelsea, and Wesley Fofana scored the decisive penalty after Joe Gomez had put Liverpool ahead.