Virgil van Dijk responds after losing temper with Trent Alexander-Arnold against Man Utd

Anfield skipper provides support for team-mate who has come under heavy fire from Liverpool supporters for his performance in the home draw against Manchester United
Virgil van Dijk during a game against Manchester United
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk lost his cool several times during the draw against Manchester United but was a calming voice after the game and had his say on Trent
In the wake of one of Liverpool’s more ragged performances of the season, it did not take long for Virgil van Dijk to regain his customary cool. Unusually for the Dutch defender, he appeared to lose his temper on more than one occasion during the draw with Manchester United.

Not with an opponent, not with referee Michael Oliver, but with one or more of his team-mates. And it was obvious that Trent Alexander-Arnold did not escape his captain’s wrath.

But after the England full-back’s shocking performance brought criticism from all quarters – including a withering put-down from Roy Keane – Van Dijk quietly reminded Trent that his team-mates have got his back.

Federico Chiesa’s agent responds to early Liverpool exit claims – ‘This is what I can confirm’

Jamie Carragher left red-faced after confident Trent Alexander-Arnold prediction
He 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.”

Alexander-Arnold’s display against United prompted Keane to joke: “There’s talk about him going to Real Madrid – he’s going to Tranmere Rovers after this.”

Arne Slot defended Alexander-Arnold, preferring to highlight the threat posed by Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot. But radio phone-ins were jammed with Liverpool fans laying into Alexander-Arnold whose poor display followed an approach by Real Madrid, who obviously expect to complete his signing at some stage.

Trent Alexander-Arnold had a day to forget against Manchester United and was heavily criticised as he continues to be linked with a move to Real Madrid ( Image: Getty Images)
And while Van Dijk, who is also out of contract at the end of the season, was predictably diplomatic after the United match, it was significant that he appeared to call out Alexander-Arnold during the game. But Van Dijk hinted that his displeasure was directed at the team rather than any individual.

He said: “We could and should have done better in having the ball, keeping it longer. We should have done better, especially after going 2-1 up.

“We were sloppy and let them come back. United came back into the game because of their quality but we lost the ball too easily in difficult moments. Spaces became much bigger than they should have been.”

Arne Slot admitted Trent Alexander-Arnold did not have his best game against Manchester United but insisted the England full-back has been outstanding for Liverpool this season ( Image: PA)
But Van Dijk also clearly believes assessments of United’s predicament are too dire, saying: “We were playing against a good opponent. By the sound that had been going around before the game, I think everyone from the outside world forgets that. They have good players. They are obviously a work in progress but they made it difficult for us.”

And considering Liverpool have a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League table, have won all their Champions League matches and are looking forward to a Carabao Cup semi-final, Van Dijk was not going to get too despondent about dropping a couple of points to United, saying: “In the end, it could have been a lot worse. We take a point.

“But we showed good things as well – resilience after going 1-0 down. So it was good things and less good things. We had to get up.”