Virgil van Dijk was among those to struggle during Liverpool’s defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup.
The Reds shipped four as they crashed out of the competition, leaving the Champions League as their only source of potential success in what has been such a poor campaign.
Van Dijk was not the only Liverpool star to play badly against Man City, but he did give away a penalty in the first half, which was his fourth of the season and as many as he’d previously managed in his entire career at Anfield before 2025/26.
Who was Liverpool’s worst player during the abysmal defeat against Man City?
Some PATHETIC displays 😡
Manchester City v Liverpool - Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final
Photo by Shaun Brooks – CameraSport via Getty Images
Virgil van Dijk matches eight-year penalty total in just one season
In 46 games across all competitions in the current season, the Dutchman has now given opposition teams four penalties.
Meanwhile, in his first eight years with the Merseyside powerhouse, he only gave away four in 319 appearances.
Liverpool fans have questioned Van Dijk already this term, and Saturday’s action is unlikely to get those doubters back on side.
The former Southampton man, like Mohamed Salah, signed a new contract that runs until the summer of 2027.
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However, there are reports in Turkey that Van Dijk could be a target for Galatasaray, and based on how this term has gone, would you be opposed to another big-name departure?
Is it time for Van Dijk to join Salah this summer and leave Liverpool?
The errors are beginning to pile up…
Manchester City v Liverpool - Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
How will Liverpool replace Virgil van Dijk
Even if he doesn’t leave this summer, the centre-back is nearing the final 12 months of his contract.
Robbie Fowler thinks Dominik Szoboszlai will become Liverpool captain once the defender departs.
In terms of actual centre-back replacements, the Reds are still interested in Nico Schlotterbeck of Borussia Dortmund.
Alessandro Bastoni has been linked as well, though FC Barcelona are thought to have made contact with the Italian’s camp.
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