Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has told Virgil van Dijk to ‘get used to it’ after the defender complained of Manchester United’s defensive tactics at Anfield. However, the 70-year-old did agree with the Liverpool captain that only one team wanted to win the game.
The expectation was for the Reds to beat United in a one-sided affair, but it ended in a goalless draw. However, to be fair, Liverpool did come out to win, having 69% possession and 34 shots.
The center-back faces backlash for his words
Liverpool center-back Van Dijk hit out at the visitors in his post-match interview, insisting Liverpool were ‘superior’, and were the only team trying to claim all three points.
Roy Keane subsequently labelled the ex-Southampton star as ‘arrogant’. Meanwhile talkSPORT host Ally McCoist stated the centre-back was ‘naive’ over his remarks.
Even though Van Dijk faced backlash for his comments, he wasn’t wrong. Erik ten Hag‘s men only looked to soak up the pressure and hit their rivals on the break. Man United only had 6 attempts with only one on target.
Souness defends Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk
Speaking on the White and Jordan show, Souness came to the defence of Van Dijk. However, he also insisted that United did nothing wrong.
Commenting on Van Dijk‘s view, he said: “I think it’s understandable, you’re frustrated, it’s a game you’ve dominated, a game you’re expected to win, a sense of frustration. He could have been a bit more magnanimous in his choice of words, but he was right, wasn’t he? There was only one team trying to win it.”
He further added: “His initial words, and maybe he could have been a bit gentler in his choice of words, I think are correct.”
“Man United were in survival mode by the way they set out to play, and don’t take my word for it, stats tell you that! Where I’d be critical of Van Dijk is, get used to it! This isn’t a new thing for big teams. It would have been the same for Man United when they were the dominant force.”
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