Liverpool 1-1 Sunderland: Match Review
Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw and Virgil van Dijk has received criticism for the role he played in Sunderland’s goal.
Liverpool legend Steve Nicol hit out of Virgil van Dijk for the goal conceded in the 1-1 draw against Sunderland.
Liverpool did equalise via a Nordi Mukiele goal from Florian Wirtz’s effort although Sunderland should have won the game in stoppage-time as Wilson Isidor had the goal at his mercy but Federico Chiesa made a crucial block.
What’s been said
The Reds have conceded 21 goals in 14 league games this season. And Nicol reckons that Van Dijk had to do better to stop Talbi’s shot. Speaking on ESPN, the four-time English title winner with Liverpool said: “I've actually not criticised Van Dijk that much this season but he has to bear a whole lot of responsibility. He gave the ball away, he tries to play Mac Allister who isn't reading the pass. OK, so what do you do?
“When you make a mistake, you try to make up for it by stepping out and closing the ball. When he see Talbi going to strike the ball, he doesn't step forward and turns sideways. What happened to making yourself big and trying to get in front of the ball? He got absolutely everything wrong.”
‘Supposed to be the leader’
Former Celtic and Chelsea defender Craig Burley went even further about criticism of Van Dijk and claimed that he is the ‘barometer of what is wrong’ with Liverpool this season.
Burley said: “He does everything wrong... the pass, doesn't close it down and turns his back like a coward. I'm fed up of sitting here and it's Mo Salah who is not playing well, Florian Wirtz can't find his feet, Alexander Isak (the same), the midfield's dynamic has changed.
“He is the barometer of what is wrong this year. He is supposed to be the leader by what he does on the field and how he manipulates the back line and talks to people. All he's done all season is throw [Milos] Kerkez under the bus, who didn't play, throws his arms in the air, makes as many mistakes as any other player; they're not always as high profile as ‘Ibrahima] Konate's or anyone else who makes mistakes but Van Dijk, every game you can watch him and go: What's been doing, why is he doing that?
“You've got the PSV game with the hand[ball]: 'Oh I was pushed' you weren't pushed. It's just absolutely crazy. He seems to be coming out of it relatively unscathed and it's everyone else's fault be he at the back has been as bad as anybody else. That goal and the fact he refused to turn it down and turned his back is the epitome of his performances this season.”
Continue Reading