Game of Thrones star slams 'embarrassing' van Dijk after trophy celebration

Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk celebrates after scoring during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton at Anfield Stadium, Liverpool, England, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Game of Thrones actor John Bradley has hit out at Liverpool for celebrating their Premier League and Champions League wins in one go.

The Manchester United supporting TV star, best known for having played Samwell Tarly in the hit HBO series, has faced a backlash from Liverpool fans over his claims the Reds should not be allowed to celebrate holding both titles at once.

Bradley reacted to a photo of Virgil van Dijk posing with the Premier League and Champions League trophies, which had been retweeted by a Manchester United supporter who declared: “Imagine in 2009 when we won the PL but lost the CL final our players had carried on posing for photos with both trophies?? They’re something else.”

The original post had failed to mention that United were no longer the holders of the European title after losing to Barcelona in the 2009 final, unlike Liverpool who are still reigning champions due to the delay in this year’s competition.

Bradley nevertheless argued: “As soon as the final whistle blew against Athletico (sic) they had no right to pose with the CL anymore. Anybody else would be embarrassed."

Liverpool may still be champions until the postponed final on 23 August but they have been knocked out of this season’s tournament after losing to Atletico Madrid in March.

That did not stop Reds supporters from defending their right to carry on celebrating last season’s success until a new winner is crowned.

Liverpool's Jordan Henderson with teammates celebrates with the trophy after winning the Premier League Pool via REUTERS/Phil Noble

Gareth Davies said on Twitter : “But we are the current holders. Nobody else has won it since us and the current tournament is still being played. But aside from that....concentrate on 4th and not what or not the big boys are doing.”

Chris Kerr posted: “I’ve NEVER won it but I’ve posed with it. These guys a) have won it therefore are entitled to pose with it and b) ARE THE CURRENT HOLDERS! Because they went out does not change that fact until AFTER THE FINAL. When City kicked off this season did they lose the right to pose?”

Meanwhile, Tom Harris tweeted: “If I’d been in the last two seasons of GoT (Game of Thrones) I’d be embarrassed but there we are.”