Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has been slammed by a wide section of the media after his error-ridden display.
What’s the latest on Virgil van Dijk and Liverpool?
On Easter Sunday in the Premier League, the Reds played host to Arsenal at Anfield in a game that lived up to expectations.
Mikel Arteta and co got off to a flying start as Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring after just eight minutes before Gabriel Jesus doubled that lead before the 30-minute mark.
Mo Salah managed to pull one back before the halftime break and then had the chance to equalise in the second half when Rob Holding was penalised for a foul on Diogo Jota.
However, the Egyptian dragged his penalty wide from 12 yards. In the end, Liverpool did eventually equalise through Roberto Firmino as his 87th-minute effort was enough to see the game end 2-2.
Despite the comeback, it seems not everyone on the home side got away without coming in for some security in the media.
Most notably, Van Dijk was slammed for his poor outing. For instance, in the player ratings for the Express, he was handed a 3/10 for his efforts with journalist Stuart Ballard writing: “A game the Dutchman will want to forget after making key mistakes for both of Arsenal’s goals.”
How poor was Van Dijk against Arsenal?
As Ballard points out, the Dutchman certainly could have done more for both goals as he first failed to clear the ball as it fell into the path of Martinelli for the opener, before he then lost Jesus in the box as the Brazilian headed in at the far post.
Others in the media noted his poor performance. YouTube Mark Goldbridge wrote on Twitter: “No joke Wes Brown is better than Van Dijk. Did it for longer.”
Journalist Samuel Luckhurst added: “It was ridiculous at the time and it looks certifiable now that anyone regarded Van Dijk a greater centre-half than multiple title winners. The true greats perform and win season after season. Van Dijk was great but his drop-off has been staggering.”
While Terry Flewers suggested that he ought to be dropped, saying: “Van Dijk and Trent [Alexander-Arnold] at fault again, Klopp must drop them!”
When you look at SofaScore it doesn’t make for pretty reading either. With a 6.1 rating, the centre-back was the worst on the pitch from either team.
On top of that, he lost the ball 12 times, completed just 1/5 long balls, won just 1/4 ground duels, was dribbled past twice, and picked up one yellow.
Referee chiefs issue statement after linesman ‘elbowed’ Andy Robertson during Liverpool vs Arsenal
Liverpool players were left incensed at half-time of their match against Arsenal as tensions were running high with Andy Robertson accusing the linesman of “elbowing” him. Liverpool looked to be dead and buried inside the first half an hour with Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus giving Arsenal a two-goal lead.
QBut the game quickly livened up after a coming together between Trent Alexander-Arnold and Granit Xhaka with the hosts using the increased atmosphere to raise their levels. Mohamed Salah halved the deficit just before the break with tackles soon flying in from both sets of players.
The referee’s whistle then brought an end to the first half with both players clearly still riled up as they walked off the pitch. But there was confusion when Liverpool players soon surrounded linesman Constantine Hatzidakis with referee Paul Tierney brandishing a yellow card.
Liverpool players were furious with Jordan Henderson leading the protests and it wasn’t immediately clear what happened until Jamie Carragher mentioned on commentary that the linesman had elbowed Robertson.
It wasn’t until Sky Sports showed replays of the incident that confirmed what Carragher had said with Hatzidakis seen raising his arm to Robertson’s face. Sky Sports reporter Geoff Shreeves caught the aftermath of the incident down the tunnel.
The PGMOL have stated they are aware of the incident involving Constantine Hatzidakis and Andy Robertson and will review the matter once Liverpool’s clash with Arsenal has finished.
A statement from the organisation read: “PGMOL is aware of an incident involving assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis and Liverpool defender Andrew Robertson at half-time during the Liverpool v Arsenal fixture at Anfield. We will review the matter in full once the game has concluded.”
Linesman Hatzidakis was heading towards referee Paul Tierney just after he had blown the half-time whistle, carrying the ball with him. Reds star Robertson approached Hatzidakis and appeared to grab the official as he walked across the pitch.
Linesman Hatzidakis was heading towards referee Paul Tierney just after he had blown the half-time whistle, carrying the ball with him. Reds star Robertson approached Hatzidakis and appeared to grab the official as he walked across the pitch.
Hatzidakis reacted angrily to that though and moved his arm back in what appeared to an elbow towards Robertson’s face. The Scotland captain was left furious, with Liverpool players surrounding the trio of match officials as they attempted to leave the pitch.
Robertson, Diogo Jota and Reds skipper Jordan Henderson remonstrated with Hatzidakis and Tierney as they left the pitch. The Liverpool left-back was then booked by Tierney, to the anger of Curtis Jones, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Henderson and Jota.
Eventually, the four were led away by a member of Liverpool’s coaching staff. Liverpool legend and Sky co-commentator Jamie Carragher gave the first indication of what had happened, tweeting: “Linesman elbow on Robertson!”
According to Sky Sports reporter Geoff Shreeves, Robertson was furious as he headed down the tunnel. He claimed the Scot said: “he’s just elbowed me in the throat, the linesman has elbowed me in the throat.
While Robertson appeared to be the victim of the incident, Roy Keane blasted the Liverpool star at half-time. He accused the left-back of being a “big baby”.
“Do you know what? Does he grab the linesman first? I’m not sure, but Robertson is then complaining. He should be more worried about his defending. Do you know what he is, that Robertson?” Keane told Sky Sports.