"An absolute mannequin" "He's absolutely finished" - Liverpool superstar gets ripped apart for his role in Sancho's opening goal for Manchester United
Liverpool are currently trailing 1-0 against Manchester United at half-time in their Premier League clash at Old Trafford. United took the lead through a Jadon Sancho strike, but some fans were left disappointed with the Reds' defending during the goal.
They took to Twitter to slam Virgil van Dijk for his role in the opening goal in the 16th minute, as the centre-back failed to close down Sancho. While James Milner notably went in for the block, Van Dijk did not close down Sancho in the Liverpool penalty box, giving the England winger enough time to take the goal with ease.
Here is a selection of their tweets ripping the Netherlands international apart:
Van Dijk is an absolute mannequin. Can't believe this guy was compared to all time greats like Sergio Ramos after one or two world class seasons. twitter.com/TheFergusonWay…
Van Dijk again, what the fuck is he doing? He's becoming regularly at fault for goals.
Martinez showing Van Dijk how to close down a shot quickly. Levels.
Van Dijk has had a very poor start to the season.
Van Dijk was acting like a kid who’s been told to stand in the corner and put his hands behind his back on that Sancho goal.
Van Dijk trying to defend with his aura will never not be funny to me 😭😭😭
Van Dijk will go down as the most overrated footballer in the history of the premier league.
I’ll never forgive some of you for entertaining the Van Dijk - Ramos, Pique, Ferdinand, Godin, Varane, Pepe etc.. comparisons. He’s no better than Maguire, he just benefits from Klopp’s Liverpool system.
Van Dijk’s got to be the most overrated defender of all time man.
Van Dijk was trying to look at Sancho’s eyes 😭😭
Van Dijk throwing his back out like a bad b, GO DEFEND BIG MAN
Van Dijk’s passive approach to defending at the start of this season (it was even apparent for one of Haaland’s missed chances in the Community Shield). Conversation to be had.
Van Dijk using the smell of his Dior Sauvage to stop Sancho from shooting https://t.co/N8ciR8tMM5
Van Dijk how about u put a fucking foot in for once u overrated b*tch
The fuck is Van Dijk doing. He’s absolutely finished.
A thrilling first-half ended with Manchester United in the lead against Liverpool
Manchester United gave a good account of themselves in the first-half of their clash against Liverpool at Old Trafford on Monday. The Red Devils took control of the game early on and scored within 20 minutes to set themselves up for success.
Erik ten Hag's side started the game brightly and were unlucky not to open the scoring with Anthony Elanga early in the game, but they made amends for that quickly. Jadon Sancho broke the deadlock in the 16th minute. The former Borussia Dortmund forward looked phenomenal, putting James Milner on his back before finding the back of the net.
Liverpool, however, found their dominance after the goal and pressed the home side until the whistle went on for half-time. The Red Devils almost got forced into an own goal as a result of the intense pressure from the Reds. But the home side were able to take control of the situation and maintain their one-goal lead.
Manchester United ended the half deservedly in the lead, with their performance on the day a vast improvement on their previous outings. Erik ten Hag will be pleased with his team’s application and performance and so will the fans, some of whom were worried after their sloppy start to the season.
Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool will be disappointed to have conceded first in another Premier League game, with the Reds going behind in all of their league games so far this season.