The ire towards Liverpool has faded on the back of their 0-0 draw with Arsenal in the Premier League.
As late as the first half of the midweek clash, Liverpool fans wanted Arne Slot sacked.
The Reds began the tie on the back foot, setting up with a very low block and inviting pressure from Arsenal.
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Jordan Henderson of Liverpool lifts The Emirates FA Cup trophy after their sides victory during The FA Cup Final match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium
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There was a bit of an upturn in the second half before the full-time whistle blew and the points were shared.
Following the match, a number of pundits were quick to praise Liverpool for their display against the league leaders.
Virgil van Dijk surprised by Liverpool praise
After hearing the positive reaction toward his side, Slot admitted in his post-match press conference that Thursday’s performance was not that different from the Fulham and Leeds United games, which saw the team criticised.
Now, as per Sky Sports, Virgil van Dijk expressed a very similar sentiment, also mentioning the 2-2 draw with Marco Silva’s men.
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He said: “I am a bit surprised that people think this is a good performance because when we have 60 or 70 per cent ball possession against other teams people find it boring and now it is a good performance.
Virgil van Dijk during Arsenal v Liverpool - Premier League
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“But again we hardly created a chance and now we say, ‘What a performance’. This is who we are – we can dominate possession, we know how to do build-up, but we struggle, obviously, in a few things.”
The Liverpool skipper continued: “Yes we did really well in ball possession but for me it wasn’t that much different than playing Leeds at home or Fulham away, where we dominated ball possession as well.
“But then people are annoyed that these teams are not of the magnitude of Arsenal it is not good enough, which I completely agree on, by the way, because I want to see us creating more chances as well.”
Prove me wrong: Liverpool DID NOT turn a corner with 0-0 draw against Arsenal
Even Slot admitted the performance was similar to recent weeks when he and the team were being slated…
Arne Slot after Arsenal v Liverpool - Premier League
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Liverpool fans could revert to type against Burnley
Slot and Van Dijk speaking out on the praise does make sense because they are right; it was no different to what we have seen in games against Leeds and Fulham.
It would be nice if the Arsenal draw was a turning point in the season and displays actually started to improve moving forward.
In reality, however, it would not be at all surprising to see Liverpool, despite being up against much easier opposition, play exactly the same way they did against the Gunners when they take on Burnley next Saturday.
The Clarets are 19th in the league and have won just three games this term. It should be a game that Slot’s men dominate and win by a comfortable scoreline.
But if they continue to play as they have in recent weeks, it will probably be another close match, and fan anger will return.
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