Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk claimed post-match that Manchester United didn’t try to win during Sunday’s trip to Anfield, comments which infuriated Roy Keane
Roy Keane has furiously slammed Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk for his “arrogant” comments about Manchester United following Sunday’s 0-0 draw.
In-form Liverpool went into Sunday’s mouth-watering Premier League clash as heavy favourites, firing off 34 shots to United’s mere six and accumulating almost double the amount of expected goals, yet they failed to breach the resilient Red Devils. A visibly frustrated Van Dijk claimed in a post-match interview that there was “only one team trying to win the game.”
“If you see how we played the game, we had most of the ball and created some opportunities,” the 32-year-old told Sky Sports. “There was only one team trying to win the game. We want to win every game of course and that is why it is frustrating. Sometimes we shot too easy and could have passed on the overlap. The right decision was sometimes lacking.”
Asked if Liverpool would view the result as a missed opportunity, United legend Keane took aim at the Dutch defender for his comments. “We heard Van Dijk speaking, obviously some arrogance coming out of him dissing United like that,” hit back Keane.
“He needs to be reminded himself, he’s playing for a team that’s only won one title in 30-odd years. He said only one team wanted to win, Man United are buzzing with the point. Man United are in a difficult place, like Liverpool have been in a difficult place for many a year. So maybe that bit of arrogance backfired on him today.”
Daniel Sturridge, also working as a pundit for Sky Sports, attempted to defend Van Dijk’s comments, saying that he wasn’t being arrogant. Keane, though, was having none of it.
“That’s arrogance,” the former United captain declared. “He says Man United were buzzing, only one team came to play. I came here many a time when Liverpool were in a tough place and happy with a draw.
“United had one or two chances and United are up against it. Sometimes players need a reminder when they play for a club like Liverpool and everyone’s saying Man United are this and that – United are in a bad place, but for many a year Man United were in a good place. I wouldn’t be disrespecting clubs like he is.”
When ex-Liverpool striker Sturridge argued Van Dijk’s comments were pointed towards his own team’s failures and that he was frustrated, Keane added: “Yeah it is frustration. But he’s talking about Man United.. as if they’d turn up and beat Man United.
“Yeah, we were all expecting a wash…You still have to go and do it. That’s what great teams do and teams that win championships every year do. He’s got to remember where he’s coming from. Am I right, Liverpool have won one league in 30 years – he needs to be reminded himself. Sometimes you shouldn’t get carried away with yourself.
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“I’ve played Liverpool many a time when they were struggling and they’ve taken a draw and been happy. I’ve come here taken a draw and been happy. You wouldn’t be slagging the team off!”
Asked by Sky Sports presenter David Jones if United had shown much ambition, Keane replied: “I thought they were under huge pressure, so they sat in and played to the strengths that they had today. It wasn’t great to watch them, but as we said before the game, if you offered them a draw, they’d have been delighted with it.”
Keane then insisted: “Liverpool had opportunities and they didn’t take them. That’s their own fault, nothing to do with Manchester United or the way they set up or injuries or whatever it might be. I didn’t like his message.”
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Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
