Virgil van Dijk has spoken out about the underestimation of Manchester United ahead of their 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Anfield, expressing surprise at how the Red Devils were regarded in the build-up to the match. Despite coming into the game off the back of three consecutive losses, United defied expectations and fought hard to secure a valuable point, with Amad Diallo’s late goal ensuring the spoils were shared and denying Liverpool a much-needed win.
Liverpool were initially favorites to take all three points, especially given the form of Arne Slot’s side and the struggles faced by Manchester United in recent weeks. The game saw Ruben Amorim’s team take an early lead through Lisandro Martinez, but United showed great resilience throughout the match, with Diallo’s equalizer ensuring a dramatic finish.
Van Dijk, however, felt that the build-up to the game did not give enough credit to Manchester United’s quality and capabilities. He was particularly surprised by the comments suggesting that Liverpool might rotate players for the fixture, with some expecting an easy victory. He recalled hearing questions about whether Liverpool would rest key players against such an opponent, and he made it clear that he disagreed with the notion that United would be an easy side to beat.
“Do I feel United were disrespected? Yes,” Van Dijk stated. “I heard, in the press conference, someone ask if we were going to rotate players against United. I was shocked. It’s one of the biggest games of the season, and United will always make it tough. To hear that, I was surprised.”
The Liverpool captain stressed that, despite their ongoing struggles, Manchester United remain a formidable force in English football. He pointed out that United still possess a talented squad, capable of making life difficult for any opponent. He also acknowledged that both teams are in a period of transition, with Liverpool working to refine their own squad, and that Manchester United’s talent made the match a challenging one for his side.
Beyond his comments on Manchester United, Van Dijk also took the opportunity to defend his teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has been the subject of some criticism following his performance in the game. Alexander-Arnold has been linked with a potential move to Real Madrid as his contract nears its end, and some critics have questioned his recent form. However, Van Dijk firmly rejected the idea that any speculation surrounding Alexander-Arnold’s future had an impact on his performance.
"No. I’m fine with [his performance]," Van Dijk said when asked about Alexander-Arnold. "Trent has his own people around him, his family, and we are here to support him. He wants to perform at his best, like all of us do."
The Liverpool captain’s words underscored the importance of squad unity and the need for players to remain focused on the team’s objectives, regardless of outside distractions. Van Dijk’s support for Alexander-Arnold reflects the strong camaraderie within the Liverpool squad, as they look to bounce back from their recent challenges and continue competing at the top level.
