Micah Richards believes Van Dijk has made 'uncharacteristic mistakes'
Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk has made ‘uncharacteristic mistakes’ and produced ‘strange’ displays of late, believes Micah Richards – as he admits he ‘can’t believe what he’s seeing’ after his error for Jadon Sancho’s goal
- Micah Richards has admitted he was surprised by Virgil van Djik’s defending
- The Dutch defender was at fault for Jadon Sancho’s opener on Monday night
- Van Dijk stood still instead of moving out to attempt and block the shot
- Veteran James Milner confronted Van Dijk in the aftermath of the Sancho goal
Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards has been left baffled by Virgil van Dijk’s defending during Liverpool’s loss to Manchester United.
Jurgen Klopp’s side continued their slow start to the season as goals by Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford condemned them to their first Premier League defeat in 2022.
Reds centre back Van Dijk was at fault for the first United goal, standing still on the six-yard line as winger Jadon Sancho had far too much time and space to score – and Richards admitted he was surprised by the Dutchman’s ‘strange’ defending.
Van Dijk stood motionless with his arms behind his back as Milner desperately tried to slide in
Former Manchester City defender says Van Dijk’s defending on Monday night was ‘strange’
‘I am looking at a clip now and seeing some afters between Milner and Van Dijk. Sancho had three or four seconds in the box to pick where he is going to put it and Van Dijk is just stood with his arms behind his back – that is so unlike Van Dijk,’ Richards said speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live.
‘He is normally so dominant, he reads the game so well and would get out to Sancho but he is in acres of space and I know people will talk about Milner and how he got sat down in the box but Van Dijk literally just stands there.
‘It is such strange defending, we all know Van Dijk he has had his injuries and they are a way better team when he is in the side but some of these mistakes are so uncharacteristic from him and I just can’t believe what I’m seeing from such a world-class defender. It’s so strange to see.’
Sancho’s goal saw United go in 1-0 up at the interval, and fellow England forward Rashford doubled the lead before the hour mark.
Veteran midfielder Milner confronted Dutch defender Van Dijk in the aftermath of the goal
Mohamed Salah pulled one back late on but the hosts held on to stun Klopp’s title challengers and leapfrog them in the table.
Earlier, veteran Liverpool midfielder James Milner had confronted Van Dijk in the aftermath of the Sancho goal.
The 36-year-old blasted his team-mate, appearing to say: ‘you go f***ing out to him!’ as he stood in front of the Dutch defender, jabbing his finger furiously into Van Dijk’s chest to emphasise his point.
Share this article
Source: Read Full Article