Roy Keane called on Virgil van Dijk to fix his form with Liverpool once again looking shaky in defence during their defeat to Manchester United.
Liverpool suffered their fourth successive defeat in all competitions as they succumbed to a 2-1 loss at Anfield.
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Both goals conceded by the Reds were sloppy defensive moments with match-winner Harry Maguire nodding home the winner from close range after Liverpool initially cleared a set piece.
"I think we conceded a very sloppy second goal," Van Dijk told Sky Sports after the match.
"We worked so hard to get back into the game and we created great opportunities to score the winner but if you concede a second goal like that, that is the disappointing part.
"If you look at the game as a whole, we were far too rushed. I think they were very patient they didn't press us high but they didn't let us on the ball.
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"We still created many opportunities to score but the reality is that we lost."
What did Keane say about Van Dijk?
However, Keane suggested the Liverpool captain was culpable in the team's struggles.
The Red Devils legend spoke about Van Dijk's role in the visitors' opener, which came just shy of 70 seconds into the match.
Van Dijk inadvertently clattering into Alexis Mac Allister when challenging for the ball in the air left a hole in the Reds defence, which was exploited by the Man United attack.
Bryan Mbeumo celebrates goal against Liverpool at Anfield
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Liverpool were immediately on the back foot when Bryan Mbeumo gave Man United an early leadCredit: Getty
Alexis Mac Allister playing for Liverpool
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Mac Allister required four stitches and had to wear the protective bandage after the friendly fire incidentCredit: Getty
Bryan Mbeumo then found himself goal side of Van Dijk before firing the ball through Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.
And Keane said more effort could've been made from Van Dijk to make amends for his initial misjudgement in the previous phase of play before the goal.
"When you're a centre half and you're a big player, last year we were on about who was going to stay and he signed a big contract, then you're giving up loads of goals... I'd be looking at him and asking, 'what are you doing'?" Keane told Sky Sports.
"Particularly as a big leader of the team. A couple of years ago we spoke about United parking the bus here and we were critical. Now they've scored two today and two last season and you're the centre half of this team.
"Always start with the man in the mirror."
"Van Dijk, if you're the centre half and your team are all of a sudden giving up loads of goals, and you've got new people coming to your club, you've got to have a good look at yourself and think, 'am I really helping these lads?' Keane continued.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk in action
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Van Dijk was uncharacteristically unsure of himself throughout the matchCredit: Getty
"Looking at United's first goal... I do look at him and go, 'are you really sprinting back?'
"What happens when you become champions, the biggest challenge is the next year because people are looking at you and going after you.
"United's attacking players came today with a swagger and Liverpool struggled to deal with that."
Slot speaks
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot cut a measured figure despite the club's worst run since November 2014 showing no sign of being alleviated.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot during their defeat to Manchester United
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Slot had it all his own way last season, now Liverpool are losing ground in the title raceCredit: Getty
"I think as a manager you constantly face challenges," Slot said ahead of Wednesday's return to action in the Champions League at Eintracht Frankfurt.
"Now we have lost four times in a row and that's also a challenge, so the life of a football manager is an ongoing challenge.
"If you win games, you want to keep winning. If you lose games, you want to start winning again.
"Do we lose confidence? I cannot see it yet, because every single game we've lost we were able to create in the second half an unbelievable amount of chances.
"If you look at the three games we lost in the Premier League, if you put all the highlights behind each other you would say it is hardly possible that they lose this game.
"So, if we can keep producing what we are doing and do a few things a little bit better, then there is every reason to expect that we start to win football games again."
"The main thing I should do now is not complain, blame or do these kind of things," Slot added.
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"We could have done much better after Macca was on the floor, we should have done better, but the health care of the players is something that is important and, if a player needs four stitches, you would hope everyone understands he needs immediate treatment.
"It didn't happen, but again we could have done better, so that is not the reason we lost today. The reason is we missed far too many chances to win a game of football."