‘It’s SCHOOLBOY thing’: Gary Neville rips into ‘desperate’ Virgil van Dijk after his clumsy foul on Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus and says Liverpool’s defenders ‘don’t even do the basics’ as they conceded twice in the first half against Arsenal
- Gary Neville has ridiculed Virgil van Dijk for his defense against Arsenal
- The former Manchester United full-back labeled the Liverpool Dutchman ‘desperate’
- And expressed concern when he insisted Liverpool’s defense was ‘really bad’
Gary Neville has torn Virgil van Dijk after Arsenal’s Liverpool defender Garbriel Jesus brought down in an attempt to deprive the striker of a goal-scoring opportunity.
Liverpool trailed Arsenal 2-0 at Anfield after goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Jesus, with the latter then trying to add his second of the afternoon before being hacked by Van Dijk.
The centre-back had been beaten by Jesus and had to bring him down or risk the attacker coming through on goal and in a one-on-one with Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson.
Co-commentator Neville stated that the Dutch defender had lashed out out of ‘desperation’ after already playing a major role in Arsenal’s opening goal.
‘Deary me, deary, deary me, that’s desperation, not frustration. No one to run back. He’s been beaten, well beaten,’ said Marcel.
Virgil van Dijk (pictured) was criticized for his performance against Arsenal on Sunday
Van Dijk (centre) is shown a yellow card after tripping Gabriel Jesus in the first half
Neville (pictured) was not impressed by Van Dijk’s foul on Arsenal striker Jesus
“There is a luck factor in those four Liverpool backs. You can defend them because over the years they have the credit in the bank, the performance, but it gets really tough.
They don’t do the basics. Even there, Trent doesn’t sprint back. Van Dijk lazily across the street, restraining someone. It’s schoolboy stuff,’ he added.
Van Dijk has established himself as one of the best defenders in the world during his trophy-laden Liverpool career, but like his teammates, he has struggled to find consistency this season.
The 31-year-old was omitted from Liverpool’s recent goalless draw with Chelsea, but returned to the starting line-up for Sunday’s Anfield clash.
Van Dijk (centre) was also involved in conceding Liverpool’s first goal when he kicked the ball into the path of goalscorer Martinelli
Match commentator Martin Tyler tried to bring in some humor when he compared Van Dijk’s defense against Arsenal to that of former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher.
Carragher is part of Sky’s match commentary team alongside Neville and was hammered by his peers when they referred to his torrid match against legendary Arsenal striker Thierry Henry in 2004.
He was attacked by the Arsenal Premier League title winners in that game when Tyler joked about Van Dijk’s foul, ‘reminded me of Carragher Henry’.
He then added, “It could be Carragher Henry’s birthday. April 9th,” before Carragher replied, “Sky is never shy about showing it off.”