Virgil van Dijk accepts blame for key Arsenal goal as Roy Keane criticizes Liverpool 'pub team' defense
Virgil van Dijk quickly settled the debate over who was to blame for Liverpool's defensive disaster by taking full responsibility.
The Reds captain was involved in a crucial moment during the 3-1 defeat to ArsenalHe couldn't deal with a long ball and got into a mess with Alicia Beckerwhich allowed Gabriel Martinelli to slot into an open goal.
The moment completely changed the game with Liverpool on top after the break having come out of the first half lucky to draw 1-1.
Van Dijk couldn't clear the ballallowing it to rebound, before Alisson charged and failed to clear it, with the wires crossed sparking a debate over who made the mistake.
Speaking after the match, the Dutch defender said: “I take full responsibility for the 2-1 goal and it is a big turning point in the match.
“I should have done better and I should have made a better decision there. It hurts me and it hurts the rest of the team.
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“It's a big turning point, we were very good after the break, we had opportunities, we were dominant, I think the energy started to run out a little.
“I should try to clarify it, but I made a wrong decision in a split second and, unfortunately, these things happen sometimes in football, but that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt.”
manchester united legend Roy Keane He did not have much sympathy for Van Dijk after the match, attacking the Liverpool defense throughout the match.
“Liverpool defensively, the goals they gave away, were like a pub team defending,” he said.
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“In terms of intensity from the first whistle to the last with Liverpool, with and without possession, I can't believe how bad they were, but thanks to Arsenal, they turned up and did it.”
The mistake by Arsenal's second was not the only moment Liverpool will have to analyze after the match, with Van Dijk and his centre-back partner Ibrahima Konate all over the place for Bukayo Saka's opener.
Then, with his chances of getting something out of the game diminishing at 2-1, Van Dijk failed to reach Leandro Trossard in time, and the Belgian crossed Alisson's legs to end the fight.
