Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk escaped disciplinary action in the opening minutes of their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg with Tottenham, despite appearing to elbow Richarlison.

Van Dijk caught the Tottenham forward with a stray arm as they pair tussled for the ball in the second minute at Anfield.

Richarlison went to ground following the clash, with the Brazilian seen clutching his face.

After returning to his feet, Richarlison was seen confronting Van Dijk over the incident.

Referee Craig Pawson opted against taking any action against the Liverpool captain, with the VAR backing his decision not to sanction Van Dijk.

Speaking on ITV coverage, co-commentator Ally McCoist suggested Van Dijk perhaps escaped a red card having caught Richarlison below the chin, rather than striking the forward in the face.

Richarlison went down in the second minute after appearing to be elbowed by Virgil van Dijk

The Tottenham forward confronted the Liverpool captain following the early clash

Referee Craig Pawson opted against taking action, with VAR officials backing his decision

‘I don’t think there’s any doubt about having a quick look at it. He brings his arm up to try and shrug him off,’ McCoist said.

‘There is an elbow there, I will tell you right now. Maybe just below the chin but they will have a look at it.

‘He might just get away with it because it’s below his chin. Richarlison feels hard done by, he uses his elbow.

‘I’m not sure it makes any contact with the face and that’s what saves him.’

Liverpool were aiming to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg, with Tottenham leading thanks to Lucas Bergvall’s goal.

The Reds had felt aggrieved in the first leg when Bergvall had avoided a second yellow card, moments before scoring the opening goal of the tie.

Liverpool levelled on aggregate late in the 34th minute at Anfield through Cody Gakpo.

The winners of the semi-final will meet Newcastle in the final at Wembley next month.