VIRGIL VAN DIJK was praised for his classy gesture just moments after Liverpool lost the Carabao Cup final.
Van Dijk grabbed the winner against Chelsea to clinch the trophy 12 months ago.
But he was on the losing side this time around as a rampant Newcastle swept the Reds aside to end their 70-year wait for a trophy.
Former Asda worker Dan Burn had the freedom of the penalty area to thunder a header home just before half-time.
Then seven minutes after the break, Alexander Isak swept in a superb second.
Federico Chiesa grabbed a late consolation deep into injury time after VAR proved he was onside.
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But it was too little too late for Liverpool, just days after being dumped out of the Champions League on penalties to PSG.
However, despite the painful defeat, Van Dijk took time out of his misery to congratulate the newly-crowned champions.
Ex-Liverpool left-back Stephen Warnock said on BBC Radio 5 Live: “There was an embrace between Virgil van Dijk and Dan Burn.
“Van Dijk stood at the Newcastle huddle – he went around and shook every player’s hand.
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“He respected what Newcastle have done today.
“Class. A sign of respect for Newcastle.”
Just like Van Dijk, another legendary Liverpool centre-back was full of admiration for Eddie Howe’s Magpies.
He said on Sky Sports: “Newcastle didn’t just win today, they battered Liverpool.
“I find it difficult to be too critical, given what Liverpool look like they will go on to achieve.
“Newcastle are a great Premier League team and they have wiped the floor with them today.”
Newcastle’s three most famous fans – Ant, Dec and Alan Shearer – were all in the stands at Wembley to witness their beloved club winning their first trophy since the FA Cup in 1955.
And Ant had viewers in stitches as he wore a Jason Tindall scarf.
Howe’s infamous No2 even managed to be the fourth person of the Newcastle contingent to get his hands on the trophy in hilarious scenes.
