Pundit Gary Neville has claimed Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk didn’t fancy his chances in a battle against Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus.
Speaking on commentary for Sky Sports, the former Manchester United right-back suggested the Dutchman was partly at fault for the Gunners’s second goal.
Rather than trying to beat the Brazilian to the ball, the 31-year-old apparently chose to remain in his position – ultimately leading to the 2-0 deficit.
“Deary, deary me. That’s desperation – not frustration,” said Neville.
“Van Dijk didn’t fancy it against Jesus. He was beaten, well beaten.”
His co-commentator, Reds legend Jamie Carragher, also weighed in on the incident.
“Van Dijk knows Jesus is there for the second goal… he just doesn’t adjust at all,” he said.
Van Dijk should’ve done better for Jesus’s goal
Going by his incredibly high standards, the Netherlands captain was relatively poor today – but more so in the first-half.
His performances lately haven’t been as assuring as they once were, but that still doesn’t mean he isn’t absolutely crucial to Jurgen Klopp’s starting XI.
For Jesus’s goal, Van Dijk should have adjusted himself in order to win the header.
However, he failed to move before it was too late, and the striker had the ball in the back of the net.
The 31-year-old’s reluctance to put a foot in for a tackle has somewhat increased over the past year, so it would be great to see him loosen up over the remainder of the season.
He is still is one of the greatest defenders in world football, so hopefully he can get back to his usual best soon.