What Virgil van Dijk did when the Sky Sports cameras weren't rolling speaks volumes

Liverpool FC captain Virgil van Dijk was quick to comfort young centre-back Amara Nallo after he was shown the red card during their Carabao Cup defeat to Crystal Palace. Nallo entered the fray in the second half against Oliver Glasner's team but was promptly dismissed for fouling Justin Devenny as the Northern Ireland midfielder was making a break for goal. Ismaila Sarr had already netted twice for Crystal Palace before Spanish winger Yeremy Pino added a third late on.

Brought into play when Liverpool were already on the back foot, Nallo received his marching orders for the second consecutive game. He has made two appearances for the Reds at senior level, failing to complete either match. Earlier this year, Nallo was given his marching orders for a similar offence against PSV in the Champions League, that time after only four minutes. On both occasions, he didn't need to make a tackle but made an error and subsequently panicked.

Nallo trudged off the pitch after leaving referee Craig Pawson with no choice. Van Dijk, who was observing from behind the bench, followed him down the tunnel, unbeknownst to Sky Sports cameras at Anfield.

"What a horrible feeling for the youngster," former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock said while commentating on the game for BBC Radio 5 Live.

"There is nothing worse than knowing you have been sent off on your debut. Then there is the next game, you make an error and it leads to another sending off.

"I have just seen Virgil van Dijk walk down the tunnel. You have to try to pick the youngster up."

Nallo has shown promise at the youth level for Liverpool, but is yet to replicate this success in his senior appearances. He may get another opportunity in the early rounds of the FA Cup at the start of the new year.

Arne Slot defended his team selection, stating that injuries contributed to his side appearing weaker than usual. In addition to a green starting XI, he lacked any seasoned stars among the substitutes.

"I saw Manchester City's starting 11 and they didn't have one starter from the weekend but it felt like their best team," he explained.

"That is a bit of an insight. Chelsea can bring Estevao in. After I made two substitutions tonight, we had six teenagers."

However, Slot did hint that his squad could be strengthened by the return of at least one experienced player from injury this weekend.

"Ryan [Gravenberch] has a good chance [of being back for the weekend]," the Dutchman confirmed after the match. "The other ones, let's wait and see."