Virgil van Dijk says Man United ‘disrespected’ before Liverpool draw

Liverpool captain and defender Virgil van Dijk reckons the media disrespected Manchester United before they played a 2-2 draw against the Old Trafford-based club at the Anfield on Sunday. 

After no goals in the first half, Lisandro Martinez scored the opening goal for the visitors. But the Reds bounced back quickly as Cody Gakpo scored the equaliser whereas Mohamed Salah gave a 2-1 lead to the hosts after scoring from a spot kick.

However, the Red Devils equalised as Amad Diallo found the back of the net in the 80th minute. 

Arne Slot’s had entered the contest as overwhelming favorites but United brought their best to share a point. The tourists even had a golden opportunity to take all three points but Harry Maguire could not control the ball and shot it over the bar.

“Do I feel United were disrespected? Yeah,” Van Dijk said after the match. “I heard in the press conference someone asked if we were going to rotate players against United.

“I was shocked. It is one of the biggest games of the season and United will always make it tough. To hear that, I was surprised.

“We are playing against a good opponent. I think everyone from the outside world forgets that judging by the sound that had been going around before the game. They have good players. They are obviously a work in progress like we are but they made it difficult for us.”

The lanky Dutchman also put his weight behind defender Trent Arnold Alexander, who had a poor game for the home side.

“No. I am fine with it,” the centre-back said. “Trent has his own people around him, his family and we are there as well.

“He wants to perform in the best way possible like we all do. That is the main focus. In my opinion, maybe ask him, that is the distraction, the game.”

Liverpool will next take on Accrington Stanley in the third round of the FA Cup at Anfield on Saturday.