During an international break, Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk and Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee had a notably chilly moment that caught the attention of fans.
As the Netherlands kicked off their Nations League campaign with a resounding 5-2 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, Van Dijk, who captained the Dutch team, was seen in an awkward interaction with Zirkzee.
A Cold Shoulder in the Tunnel
Before both teams took the field, Van Dijk was observed shaking hands with his teammates but deliberately avoiding Zirkzee.
The two players didn’t exchange any glances, leading some to speculate that their club rivalry might be the cause of the cold shoulder.
Fans Weigh In on the Tension
The moment didn’t go unnoticed on social media.
One fan on X (formerly Twitter) remarked, “Van Dijk does not want to know Zirkzee,” while another hinted at a brewing rivalry.
Some fans even turned the blame around, suggesting that Zirkzee might have been the one giving Van Dijk the cold shoulder.
Recent Club Rivalries at Play
This incident followed a significant Premier League clash where Liverpool defeated Manchester United 3-0 at Old Trafford just six days earlier.
Van Dijk, who captains Liverpool, and Zirkzee, who had joined United for £36.5 million from Bologna, both played in that game.
Only Van Dijk left Old Trafford with a sense of satisfaction after the victory.
Clearing the Air
Despite the initial impression of tension, it seems there’s no serious animosity between the two players.
They were later seen embracing after Zirkzee scored for the Netherlands against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Additionally, Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo and former Manchester United loanee Wout Weghorst also made their mark on the score sheet in the same match.
What’s Next?
The international break has set the stage for future encounters between these players, but for now, it appears that any perceived rivalry is nothing more than a brief moment of awkwardness rather than a deep-seated conflict.
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