ROY KEANE has accused Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk of disrespecting Manchester United in a stunning rant.
The bitter rivals played out a boring 0-0 draw at Anfield this afternoon, a result which did neither team any favours in their respective pursuits.
Van Dijk was far from happy with United’s tactics in the match – after which he took a swipe at Red Devils keeper Ande Onana – and essentially accused them of parking the bus.
The Dutchman said: “There was only one team trying to win the game but unfortunately it did not happen.
“We were superior in all aspects, they were hoping to hurt us on the counter and they are buzzing with a point.”
The centre-back’s comments didn’t sit well with United icon Keane, who reminded him of Liverpool’s shortcomings in the league over the last 30 years in a stunning rant.
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He said of the defender: “He needs a reminder himself. He plays for a club that’s won one title in about 30-odd years.
“He said, ‘Only one team wanted to win. Man Utd wasn’t worth a point.’
“Man Utd are in a difficult place – like Liverpool have been in a difficult place for many a year.
“A bit of arrogance backfired on him today.”
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Sky Sports pundit and former Liverpool defender Daniel Sturridge tried to defend Van Dijk, interjecting: “I don’t know if it was arrogance.”
A defiant Keane replied: “That’s arrogance. That’s arrogant. He said Man Utd were buzzing, only one team came to play.
“Listen, I’ve come here many a time when Liverpool were in a tough place and they were happy with a draw.
“To diss them like that, say they are buzzing, only one team wanted to win… United had one or two chances, United were up against it.
“Sometimes players need a reminder when they are playing for clubs like Liverpool, and everyone is saying Man Utd are this and that.
“United are in a bad place. But, for many a year United were in a good place.
“You wouldn’t be disrespecting clubs like he is.”
After Sturridge once again tried to stick up for Van Dijk, Keane said: “That’s arrogance for me.
“It is frustration, but as if they’d just turn up and beat Man Utd… we all expected a whitewash. But you still have to go out and do it.
“That’s what great teams to do. And that’s what teams who win championships every year do.
“The Man Citys, the Man Utds and the Liverpool teams of the 80s. He’s got to remember where he’s coming from.
“Am I right Liverpool have won the league once in 30-odd years? He needs a reminder himself.
“Sometimes you can get carried away with yourself. We should be turning up and beating Man Utd.
“As I said, I can only go back on my own experience.
“I played Liverpool many a time when Liverpool were struggling and Liverpool would take a draw and they would be happy.
“I’ve come here, taken a draw, and been happy. But you wouldn’t be slagging the team off.”
Kop chief Jurgen Klopp was disappointed with his players’ inability to find the back of the net, which allowed Arsenal to snatch top spot from them.
The German said: “The main thing I don’t like is the result, we should have won the game.
“With that number of finishes a few more should have been on target.
“It should have been more, but there were some things I liked.
“The counter pressing was the best with this group, the intensity and the start was probably our best so far.
“This today hurts, it is good, it gives us a lot of information as well and now we have to finish the situations off.”
Under pressure Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag was thrilled with his team’s defensive display, telling the BBC: “We take this point and we are pleased with the point because Liverpool are in very good form here at Anfield.
“They always score and we avoided that, we stopped them creating chances and scoring.
“All eleven on the pitch were very good.”
He added: “Football always starts with good organisation and defending.
“If I have a criticism, it is that we should have had more passes going into the box to hurt the opponent.
“That’s the next step we have to make. We have to get more consistent in our performance levels.”
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Liverpool will be back in action on Wednesday, hosting West Ham in their Carabao Cup quarter-final tie.
United, meanwhile, will travel to the London Stadium on Saturday to play the Hammers.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
