The opening goal netted during Manchester United’s meeting with Liverpool on Monday night has since seen one member of the latter’s backline heavily targeted.
Jurgen Klopp’s troops, of course, are currently locked in action.
On the back of something of a shaky opening to the campaign, Jurgen Klopp’s troops have made the trip to Old Trafford, hopeful of finally getting off the mark by means of a three-point haul.
Such efforts, however, at present, are not going at all according to plan.
Instead, late in the first-half in Manchester, it is the evening’s hosts – yet to put a single point on the board in the Premier League this season – who lead by a goal to nil.
This comes after some fine work down the left-hand side eventually culminated in Jadon Sancho turning inside the Liverpool penalty area, to pick out the bottom corner of Alisson’s net:
That composure 🤤
Calm as you like from Jadon Sancho and Manchester United lead at Old Trafford! 💥 pic.twitter.com/7ZkB2jf1FO
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 22, 2022
The player in question? Virgil van Dijk.
The Dutchman has been widely accused of essentially allowing Sancho to slot into his side’s net, opting to put his hands behind his back rather than throw himself at the feet of United’s winger in an attempt to block the ball.
James Milner, floored by Sancho just moments before, is one who was not at all shy in taking aim at his gifted teammate:
Milner and Van Dijk 😯 pic.twitter.com/elmZQAHTeu
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 22, 2022
And a similar scene has since spread across social media, amid suggestions that van Dijk, once viewed as one of world football’s best, may be losing his touch:
Van Dijk defending against Sancho pic.twitter.com/HOU21CsPPO
— FootballFunnys (@FootballFunnnys) August 22, 2022
Look @ Van Dijk for that goal just standing there with his hands behind his back if that was Terry, Vidic, Kompany or Ferdinand they’d be diving trying to bloke that shot with their head.
— 维尼熊 (@UtdEIIis) August 22, 2022
Van Dijk is an absolute mannequin. Can’t believe this guy was compared to all time greats like Sergio Ramos after one or two world class seasons. https://t.co/ZDqeisBgE2
— 9. (@GreatWhiteNueve) August 22, 2022
Van Dijk’s passive approach to defending at the start of this season (it was even apparent for one of Haaland’s missed chances in the Community Shield). Conversation to be had.
— Raj Chohan (@rajsinghchohan) August 22, 2022
And there we go. Look at Van Dijk for the Sancho goal there (presumably what Milner was shouting at him for). Standing back & watching with his hands behind his back. Passive. Poor. https://t.co/6AlgjkaL4z
— Raj Chohan (@rajsinghchohan) August 22, 2022
Virgil van Dijk has looked so, so ropey in the first few weeks of this season.
— Luke Osman (@lukeosman_) August 22, 2022
Van Dijk actually might be finished aswell, all falling apart at once
— LIAM (@lfc826) August 22, 2022
Manchester United vs Liverpool betting tips: Premier League preview, predictions & odds
Manchester United vs Liverpool live streaming: Watch Premier League online
