Liverpool fans argue over ‘too casual’ Van Dijk as Atletico turn him inside out

Virgil van Dijk is not usually one of the more common names of Liverpool players singled out for criticism on social media after a game.

But the defender’s erratic performance in the Champions League win over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night attracted negative comments from unimpressed Reds fans, despite taking all three points back home to Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp’s side began in fine fashion with Mohamed Salah and Naby Keita putting the Reds 2-0 up inside the first 13 minutes.

But a double from Antoine Griezmann brought Atletico back level in what proved to be an end-to-end contest at the Wanda Metropolitano.

The Frenchman was then sent off for aiming a high kick at Roberto Firmino with the score level at 2-2.

It was the visitors who struck the winner from the penalty spot after Mario Hermoso gave away a spot-kick and Salah doubled his tally to clinch victory against 10-man Atletico.

Griezmann and his strike partner Joao Felix were a menacing presence for the Reds defence all evening and Van Dijk looked uncomfortable in dealing with the pair alongside Joel Matip.

The 29-year-old was caught jogging towards his own goal when Felix wriggled free of Keita’s challenge and slipped in Griezmann.

Van Dijk was caught flat-footed in the ground and nearly stumbled over as he desperately tried to make a last-ditch block.

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But it was to no avail as the France international got a yard ahead of Van Dijk and coolly slotted home past Alisson Becker to equalise.

One fan, going by the name 'LFCLaurie', accused Van Dijk of being “too casual” in his approaching to defending.

“You can’t expect him to be at 2018/19 levels coming off an ACL injury, but Van Dijk isn’t immune from criticism,” the user tweeted.

“Sometimes he just looks far too casual. We know it’s easy for him, but seems to take that too literally at times.”

Another user agreed, writing: “He got turned inside out for the second goal and had been caught out a few times.”

But Van Dijk was cut some slack by a handful of Liverpool fans, with one placing the blame at Matip’s feet and calling for summer signing Ibrahima Konate to be handed a run in the side.

“Matip hasn’t helped with that, at all this season,” they said.

“Not like him, usually consistent. Would give Konate a run in the team over Matip at the min [sic].”

Van Dijk only returned to action from a serious knee injury in pre-season after a horrendous challenge from Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in the Merseyside derby a year ago.

Liverpool suffered from a defensive crisis last season after seeing Van Dijk, Matip and Joe Gomez all ruled out with long-term injuries.

But things have improved over the summer, with Van Dijk looking back to his normal self for the most part and featuring in every game this season.

And Liverpool fans will be hoping his off-colour display in Spain will remain simply an anomaly in an otherwise solid start to the season.

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