‘What are you doing?’ – Roy Keane calls out Liverpool star after Manchester United defeat

Roy Keane has criticised Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, whom he believes should “have a good look” at himself after conceding two goals in the 2-1 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday.

Manchester United secured the win thanks to Harry Maguire’s header in the 84th minute, but Liverpool spent the majority of the game chasing for an equaliser after Bryan Mbeumo’s early opener.

The visitors took the lead at Anfield after just two minutes, and it was not until the 78th minute that Cody Gakpo levelled the score.

Keane was critical of Van Dijk’s lack of effort in defence in the build-up to the first goal and Liverpool’s poor defensive performance overall this season.

“When you’re a centre half, you’re a big player, and you signed a big contract, then you’re giving up loads of goals… I’d be looking at him (Van Dijk),” the Manchester United icon said on Sky Sports.

“What are you doing? Particularly, he’s a big leader of the team.

“If you’re a centre half, and all of a sudden your team are giving up loads of goals, and you’ve got new people coming into your club, you’ve got to have a good look at yourself and go, ‘Am I really helping these lads? Am I getting a grip of people?’

“The little incidents we saw there (in the build-up to Manchester United’s first goal), yes, we give United plaudits, but I do look at him going, ‘Are you sprinting back?'”

Liverpool’s poor defensive performance

Jamie Redknapp, who was also in the studio, earlier pointed out how Van Dijk had a “two-yard start” on Mbeumo but was still beaten to the ball by the Manchester United forward.

However, it is as Keane said, it is more than just in this game; Liverpool have had a disappointing start to the season from a defence perspective, and Van Dijk, as the captain and a starting centre-back, shares some of the responsibility.

The Reds, despite the five consecutive wins in the opening five games of the season, have only recorded two clean sheets from eight league games so far.

Arne Slot’s side have also conceded 11 goals this season, and rank joint-ninth in the league in this area.

To put it into perspective, Arsenal, who are now four points ahead of Liverpool in the table, have only conceded three goals so far.

If Liverpool are to retain the Premier League title, they will undoubtedly have to tighten their defence and, subsequently, reduce the pressure on their attacking line to win games, especially amid this four-game losing streak.