Graeme Souness sends a four-word message to Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk over his criticism of Man United’s lack of ‘trying to win’ in Anfield stalemate, after Roy Keane called star ‘arrogant’

Graeme Souness has delivered a four-word message to Virgil van Dijk after the Liverpool captain complained that Manchester United had used negative tactics during Sunday's goalless draw.

Souness agreed with Van Dijk's frustrations, with the Liverpool defender claiming there was only one team that wanted to win at Anfield yesterday.

Liverpool had 34 attempts on goal compared to Man United's six, while the home side also had 68 percent of the ball.

After the match, a frustrated Van Dijk lashed out at Erik ten Hag's tactics, claiming: 'The way we played the match, with most of the ball possession, there was only one team trying to win the match, but unfortunately they couldn't. to happen.

'We were superior in every way. They are buzzing about a point and we are disappointed,” he added.

Van Dijk claimed in his post-match interview that United had tried to use negative tactics against Liverpool

Roy Keane branded Van Dijk 'arrogant' and said his comments were 'disrespectful'.

And now ex-Liverpool midfielder Souness has also had his say. Speaking talkSPORT's White and Jordan show, he said that the 32-year-old Dutchman “needs to get used to it!”

“He could have been a little more magnanimous in his choice of words, but he was right, right?” Soness added.

'There was only one team trying to win. There was only one team that lined up before a ball was kicked, in the first minute they tried to win the match.

“Man United were in survival mode because of the way they wanted to play, and don't take my word for it, the stats tell you that!

'Where I would be critical of Van Dijk is: get used to it! This is nothing new for big teams, it would have been the same for Man United when they were the dominant force.”

He added: “His first words, and maybe he could have been a little gentler in his choice of words, I think they are correct.

“There was only one team trying to win the match, and that was born out of frustration.”

The result means Arsenal have moved ahead of Liverpool to top the Premier League, with the Reds now level on points with Aston Villa in second place.

And while United were most likely to score on Sunday, Keane slammed the Liverpool captain for his comments.

“It's arrogance,” he told Sky Sports after the match. “You still have to go out and do it. That's what the big teams do. Liverpool have won the competition once in thirty years.

'We have played against Liverpool many times when they were struggling. You find different ways to win a football match.'

Keane added: “Arrogance comes into football where you are disappointed about a draw. The most important statistic is the scoreline.

Roy Keane accused Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk of being arrogant with his post-match comments

Souness also sympathized with the Liverpool defender over his frustrations

The draw means Arsenal surpass Liverpool to top the Premier League

'Liverpool had chances, but they didn't take them. That's their own fault and has nothing to do with Manchester United's line-up or their injuries. I think it's out of order.'

Van Dijk responded to Keane's comments on Monday, claiming his post-match analysis of the match was not driven by arrogance.

“I like Roy Keane, if he says that, that's fine,” he said.

'He's Man United all the time and I understand he could react like that, but I felt what I said and there's absolutely no arrogance there.

“Anyone who watched the game probably felt the same way. We go on. We had the chance and couldn't score and that's the frustrating thing.'