Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has stood by his comments regarding Manchester United’s defensive tactics during the goalless draw at Anfield on Sunday, despite facing criticism from former United midfielder Roy Keane. Keane labelled van Dijk’s remarks as arrogant and disrespectful, implying that the Liverpool captain needed to be reminded of his team’s lack of success in recent years.
Van Dijk, however, maintained that his assessment of the match was based on honesty rather than arrogance, despite Liverpool’s failure to score for the first time since April, despite taking 34 shots. He also expressed his respect for Keane and acknowledged the former midfielder’s loyalty to Manchester United, understanding the basis of Keane’s reaction while reiterating that his comments were not intended to convey arrogance.
Jürgen Klopp’s side saw their record-equalling run of 34 successive matches with a goal come to an end, despite their significant number of attempts on goal. The team’s forwards, including Darwin Núñez and Mohamed Salah, have been struggling to find the back of the net, with van Dijk acknowledging that the players may have been trying too hard to break through Manchester United’s defense, especially after their 7-0 victory over the team in March.
Looking ahead, van Dijk emphasized the importance of learning from the match and focusing on the upcoming fixture against West Ham in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals. Despite the disappointment of dropping points, he stressed the significance of moving forward and shifting attention to the opportunity to compete for the first trophy of the season. Acknowledging the tough challenge that West Ham presents, van Dijk remained optimistic about Liverpool’s prospects.
In conclusion, van Dijk’s response to Keane’s criticism underscores his commitment to maintaining honesty and perspective in the face of frustration. With the upcoming Carabao Cup match, Liverpool has the opportunity to redirect their focus and pursue a positive result.