Roy Keane has called on Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk to take responsibility for his performance in Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United.
Ruben Amorim secured consecutive Premier League victories for the first time since taking over as United boss last year, handing Liverpool their first home league defeat in 400 days.
Former United midfielder Keane has urged Van Dijk to ‘look in the mirror’ over his role in the defeat, questioning the 34-year-old’s decision making against their fierce rivals.
Keane said: ‘When you’re a centre half and a big player, and last year everyone was on about who’s going to stay and he signs the big contract and then you’re giving up loads of goals, then I’d be looking at him.
‘I’d be (thinking) “what are you doing?”. Particularly as he’s a big leader in the team. I’d be looking at moments. I think a couple of years ago he spoke about United coming there (to Anfield) and parking the bus and being critical of United.
‘Well they’ve scored two today and they scored two last year and you’re the centre-half of this team, always start with the man in the mirror.
Keane has called on Liverpool captain Van Dijk to take responsibility for his performance in Liverpool’s 2-1 Premier League defeat to Manchester United – their first at Anfield in 400 days
Liverpool have now lost three consecutive league games, with Keane claiming the weight of being champions is hanging heavily on the players, while urging Van Dijk to settle the nerves
‘We talk about (Harry) Maguire turning up today and Bruno (Fernandes). But Van Dijk, if you’re the centre-half and your team are suddenly giving up loads of goals and you’ve got new players coming in, you’ve got to have a good look at yourself and wonder “am I really helping these lads, am I getting a grip of people?”.’
Bryan Mbeumo gave United the lead after just 62 seconds, the Premier League’s fastest goal this season, after Alexis Mac Allister was brought down by Van Dijk in the build-up.
Van Dijk’s elbow caught the back of the Argentine’s head while challenging Mbeumo for the ball, and the incident appeared to throw off the Liverpool captain, who was caught ball watching as Mbeumo slipped in behind him to score the opener seconds later.
Keane appeared to lay the blame squarely at the experienced defender, saying: ‘Little incidents that we saw with the (first) goal, we’ll give United plaudits but I do look at him and think, “are you really sprinting back?”.’
Liverpool have now lost three consecutive Premier League games, with Keane claiming the weight of being champions is hanging heavily on the players, while urging Van Dijk to settle the nerves.
‘What happens when you become champions, the biggest challenge is the next year because people look at you going “you’re the champions, we’re going after you.” Even United were coming today.
‘United’s attacking players had a little bit of swagger about them, whereas Liverpool struggled to deal with that.
Liverpool lost their first Premier League game to Manchester United since January 2016
‘We’re talking about stats and I think a really important stat in football is the scoreline. Last year Liverpool won lots of games by the odd goal, they’re now on the wrong side of it. They’re conceding lots of late goals.
‘Liverpool, just before the goal, almost gifted them by giving the ball away cheaply. These are the moments where Van Dijk has got to say to the players “lads just calm down”.
‘I think sometimes it’s good to be forcing things and panicking, but not all the time. I felt it was like that from the first half.’
