Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen said he received death threats directed at him and his family after he was Liverpool‘S Darwin Nunez in the Premier League on Monday Draw 1-1 causing the striker to be sent off at Anfield.
The striker received a direct red card after headbutting Andersen in the second half with Liverpool following Wilfried Zahastrike.
The server managed to salvage a point after Luis Dias‘The equalizer was stunning but the result left Liverpool unbeaten after two games – dropping to 12th place – and fans vented their disappointment by reaching out to Andersen on Instagram, where he highlighted the abusive messages he has received.
“I probably got 3-400 of these messages last night. I understand you support a team but have a little respect and stop. [acting] difficult online,” Andersen said before sharing screenshots of abuse and death threats in his inbox.
“Hopefully Instagram and the Premier League do something about this.”
Reuters has reached out to Instagram for comment.
Meanwhile, Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk urged Nunez to learn from his mistake after being sent off on his debut.
“He definitely has to control himself,” Van Dijk told reporters after the game. “He has to manage himself. He has to know that these things can happen, especially in the Premier League.
“It’s going to be a learning curve for him and hopefully it never happens again. Obviously he was very disappointed and probably with himself too.
“But it’s been a learning curve and we’ll always support him. He’s got our support and he knows it won’t happen again and hopefully it will. “
Nunez, who joined from Benfica for an initial fee of €75m, will be given a three-match ban and will miss Liverpool’s clash at Manchester United next week.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, who has hit back at Nunez’s critics before the gamecurrently facing a striker crisis with Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota was lost due to injury.
“It’s really difficult in a moment with injuries and players with the little things and the way you manage them and all that,” Klopp said in post-match interview.
“We have to use next week to be able to bring one or two back. I’m not sure if we can do that. But now we’ve lost Darwin today. It doesn’t help. What’s up Bobby [Firmino] could be ready for next week,” he added.
Information from Reuters has been included in this report.
