Virgil van Dijk was part of Liverpool's FA Cup embarrassment over the weekend and he's pointed the finger at team-mates as Mo Salah has been sent a clear message
10:47, 06 Apr 2026
Virgil van Dijk
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Virgil van Dijk pointed the finger after their FA Cup loss(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool have no time to recover from their 4-0 thrashing by Manchester City, with a Champions League fixture against Paris Saint-Germain looming. The Reds were soundly beaten in their FA Cup quarter-final match at the Etihad Stadium.
The loss marked Liverpool's 15th defeat in all competitions this season, the highest number the club has endured in a single campaign since 2014/2015 when they lost 18 games under Brendan Rodgers.
The scale of their humiliation in Manchester has led Virgil van Dijk to level serious accusations at his colleagues. Daily Star Sport also examines a message sent to Mo Salah following news of his imminent departure as we explore the biggest stories emerging from Anfield.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 04: Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, and Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool react at full time following defeat during the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
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Virgil van Dijk slammed his team-mates(Image: Michael Regan, Getty Images)
Virgil van Dijk points finger at players
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The most damning criticism any team can face is allegations of surrender - and that's precisely what Van Dijk accused his team-mates of, reports the Mirror.
In a season marred by numerous dreadful performances and results, the Reds' 4-0 hammering on Saturday could be the most embarrassing moment of their campaign.
To add insult to injury, Van Djik confessed his side gave up during the match, a statement that could have significant implications for the remainder of the club's season and potentially the future of Slot.
The Dutchman said: "I've been there already many times this season when I've had hope and then we couldn't build on performances. Our second half, the intensity we didn't match, the challenges we didn't win, it was tough.
"To lose then 4-0 is tough. Am I sick of repeating myself? 100%, of course. I can understand the fans' frustration as well. Obviously you come out of the dressing room [after half-time] with the right intentions to score and make it 2-1 and change the game.
"But the opposite happened and then to come back from 3-0 is obviously very difficult. Also you shouldn't give up, and that's maybe what happened at a certain point. It's mentally very tough at the moment, I must say."
Mohamed Salah sent message
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 4: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool looks dejected during the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on April 4, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
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(Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Mohamed Salah suffered a particularly dreadful afternoon at the Etihad Stadium.
Beyond what was an appalling display after missing a huge chance to give his team the lead at 0-0, the Egyptian later fluffed his second spot-kick in succession, in what presently appears a tragic conclusion to a brilliant Liverpool career.
The 33-year-old faced off against his former Reds coach Pep Lijnders on Saturday, with the Dutchman leading City in the absence of Pep Guardiola due to his sideline suspension.
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Lijnders, 43, who collaborated with Salah for most of his time at Anfield, witnessed first-hand the brilliance Salah demonstrated and confessed he wishes the winger can get a send-off worthy of his status on Merseyside.
At the final whistle, he remarked: "I hope so. He had seven or eight years at Liverpool winning the biggest trophies you can win in style.
"He will get all that (respect). It's nice for all the players who were in that generation of team [to get that respect]. They all deserve that."