-Credit:Carl Recine/Getty Images
Virgil van Dijk has dismissed suggestions that Trent Alexander-Arnold’s performance in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw against Manchester United was negatively impacted by the ongoing rumors about his future.
The Reds’ skipper also feels that United were unfairly undermined in some media quarters ahead of the Anfield clash, given their form leading up to the match against the Premier League frontrunners. After Lisandro Martinez put the visitors ahead in the second half, a Cody Gakpo equalizer was followed by a Mohamed Salah penalty.
Amad, however, secured a point for the underperforming Red Devils, who put in their best performance of the season so far. Alexander-Arnold faced widespread criticism post-match for what was perceived as a substandard performance, failing to win a single duel and being particularly at fault for the first goal. He allowed Bruno Fernandes to drift inside too easily, enabling the Portugal midfielder to assist Martinez.
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A careless pass from Alexander-Arnold also resulted in Manchester United launching a late attack in pursuit of a winner, shortly before he was replaced by Conor Bradley. The overall performance sparked heated post-match discussions on Sky Sports, with the game taking place just days after Liverpool rejected an approach from Real Madrid.
Liverpool is resolutely refusing to entertain discussions with the Spanish titan over a deal this month, though the defender in question is free to negotiate with the reigning Champions League victors about joining them for free when his contract expires later in the year.
When quizzed by reporters including from the ECHO about whether the rampant transfer rumors impinged upon Alexander-Arnold’s game play, Van Dijk brushed off concerns: “No. I am fine with it. Trent has his own people around him, his family and we are there as well.”
Liverpool number 66 Trent Alexander-Arnold. -Credit:Carl Recine/Getty Images
The Dutch center-back emphasized the focus on performance: “He wants to perform in the best way possible as we all do,” he said. “That is the main focus. In my opinion, maybe ask him, that is the distraction, the game.”
Reflecting on the fixture against a familiar opponent, Van Dijk recalled: “We have been there last year too, and drew 0-0 I think. It is always a special one and today is no different. We could and should have done better in having the ball, keeping it longer. We showed good things as well, resilience again after going 1-0 down. So it was good things and less good things. We have to get up.”
Despite a flicker of disapproval regarding their performance after gaining a lead, Van Dijk remarked: “It was a good game for the neutral. It was quite cold so the game helped to heat them up! Jokes aside, I think we should have done better especially after going 2-1 up. We were sloppy and let them come back.”
Conceding United’s comeback was partly due to their quality, Van Dijk criticized Liverpool’s handling of crucial moments. “United came back into the game because of their quality but we lost the ball too easily in difficult moments,” he added. “Spaces became much bigger than they should have been. It could have been in the end a lot worse than what we have right now but I take the point.”
Virgil van Dijk was frustrated with Liverpool’s performance against Manchester United
Van Dijk also expressed his astonishment at the number of pundits who anticipated a resounding win for the league leader against a side that had suffered four consecutive losses and sat 14th in the standings.
Liverpool’s manager Arne Slot faced a tongue-in-cheek question during his Friday press briefing about whether the contrasting form of the two teams would lead him to rest players for Sunday’s clash. The Reds’ skipper was not pleased with how the question downplayed the significance of what he considers the biggest match in English football.
“Do I feel United were disrespected? Yeah,” Van Dijk said. “I heard in the press conference someone asked if we were going to rotate players against United. I was shocked. It is one of the biggest games of the season and United will always make it tough. To hear that, I was surprised.
“We are playing against a good opponent. I think everyone from the outside world forgets that by the sound that had been going around before the game. They have good players. They are obviously a work in progress like we are but they made it difficult for us.”