LIVERPOOL’S game with Manchester City has been hit with a bomb scare, after police swooped to tear down a suspicious statue outside Anfield.
Anti-terror police arrived around 9am on Sunday, fearing a statue of Virgil van Dijk, erected by Paddy Power, may be dangerous, according to the Express.
The bookies had put up the 30ft statue in a good-natured dig at the £75m defender being “worth his weight in gold”.
Dutch defender Van Dijk, 25, scored on his Liverpool debut, nodding home the winner in a 2-1 FA Cup victory over Merseyside rivals Everton.
However, as workers put-up the statue at 4.30am in Liverpool, police arrived demanding to see “safety work”.
Despite showing-off the required documents, police still feared a BOMB may be concealed within the statue.
Four police cars arrived and ordered the immediate destruction of the golden artwork.
A source on the scene claimed: “The only thing it threatens is Liverpool fans’ sense of humour.
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“The one danger was after seeing his statue, Van Dijk might defend like a statue.
“It was a harmless stunt and it actually looked quite impressive.
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“The whole thing must have cost a bomb!”
Meanwhile, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been hit with some bad news, as it was revealed Van Dijk will miss the game through injury.
The Dutchman has a tight hamstring and will not be risked in the game against Premier League-leaders Man City.
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