Virgil van Dijk’s defending has been slammed as ‘horrendous’ after he was involved in a shocking mix-up with Alisson that gave Southampton the lead against Liverpool
Virgil van Dijk has been slammed for his ‘horrendous’ defending as Southampton took the lead against Liverpool.
The Reds hosted bottom of the table Southampton in a Premier League encounter that looked as straight forward as they come on paper.
However, Liverpool were far from impressive in the first-half with the visitors looking the better side, and they got their reward on the stroke of half-time when Will Smallbone pounced on a terrible mix-up between Van Dijk and Alisson.
A throw in into the box initially went too far ahead of Smallbone, who made a run into the penalty area. Van Dijk got his body between the midfielder and the ball as he attempted to shepherd the ball back to his goalkeeper.
However, Alisson was slow off his line and Saints talent Mateus Fernandes was able to put the Brazilian under pressure. Fernandes managed to reach the throw and tackled the ball away from the hapless Reds pair, who ended up falling over each other.
Smallbone collected the loose ball and kept his composure to slot home at the near post and give the Saints the lead, which they took into half-time.
Fans on X were left stunned as the awful defending, as one user wrote: “That is a horrendous defending from Van Dijk and Alison.”
A second echoed: “Van Dijk choosing not to defend once again and this time it costs them the goal. Just put it out!” A third exclaimed: “WHAT IS VAN DIJK AND ALISSON DOING!” While another raged: “That is abysmal defending from Van Dijk. Pure aura defending attempt. Pathetic”.
Liverpool entered the weekend 13 points clear of Arsenal having played a game more. The Reds stole a Champions League aggregate lead against PSG in the Champions League in midweek, and Arne Slot’s side appear to be suffering a major hangover.
More to follow…
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