Liverpool legend Virgil van Dijk found himself under the microscope after a dismal 2-1 home defeat to Manchester United at Anfield, with former United midfielder Roy Keane calling on the Dutch defender to take a long, hard look at his own performance.
The result marked United’s first league win at Anfield in over a year and handed Ruben Amorim back-to-back Premier League victories since taking charge last season.
Keane didn’t mince words, suggesting that as Liverpool’s captain and central defender, Van Dijk needed to confront his role in the setbacks and question whether he was helping his team effectively.
Fast Start Sets the Tone for Liverpool’s Struggles
The match began disastrously for the home side, with Bryan Mbeumo racing through to score after just 62 seconds, the Premier League’s fastest goal this season.
The incident came after Van Dijk’s challenge on Alexis Mac Allister, where his elbow caught the Argentine’s head and seemed to throw him off his rhythm.
Mbeumo capitalized immediately, slipping behind the Liverpool defense to slot home the opener.
Keane pointed directly to Van Dijk, questioning whether the experienced centre-back was sprinting back to cover his teammates and keeping control at crucial moments.
Leadership Under Pressure
As Liverpool continues to reel from three consecutive Premier League defeats, Keane stressed the pressure that comes with being champions.
He highlighted the psychological burden on players like Van Dijk, noting that opposing teams, including United, approach matches against Liverpool with a sense of swagger and confidence.
“United’s attacking players had a little bit of swagger about them, whereas Liverpool struggled to deal with that,” Keane said.
“These are the moments where Van Dijk has got to say to the players, ‘Lads, just calm down.’”
Learning from Mistakes
Keane also emphasized that while Van Dijk and the Liverpool squad had plenty of attacking opportunities, small lapses in judgment—like giving the ball away cheaply—were proving costly.
Conceding late goals has become a pattern, he said, and leaders on the pitch need to keep their composure under pressure.
“Little incidents that we saw with the first goal… I do look at him and think, ‘Are you really sprinting back?’” Keane added.
“You’ve got to have a grip on your players and settle the nerves, especially after becoming champions. The challenge isn’t winning the title; it’s defending it.”
The Takeaway for Van Dijk and Liverpool
Keane’s message was clear: leadership isn’t just about wearing the armband—it’s about guiding the team, controlling tense moments, and making sure new players and seasoned veterans alike are performing at their best.
For Van Dijk, the spotlight is bright, and the expectation is high as Liverpool tries to regain momentum in the Premier League.