'Watch him': Gary Neville left absolutely stunned after what Virgil van Dijk did against Man United
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Liverpool started the game against Manchester United in the worst possible way.There was a lot of pressure on the Reds heading into their first game since the international break, mainly as they came into it on a run of three successive losses.Many fans wanted to see a much more resolute defence due to the amount of goals they had conceded already, although any hopes of this faded very quickly.Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis. Man United opened the scoring just two minutes into the game courtesy of Bryan Mbuemo, however Liverpool did not cover themselves in glory in the lead up.Gary Neville was also quick to point out what captain Virgil van Dijk did, and it is safe to say it has left him, among many others, a little stunned.Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty ImagesVirgil van Dijk was at fault for Man United’s opening goalVan Dijk is the man many Reds fans will have been looking to in order to shore up the backline, with the captain often saving the day on so many occasions.However, just two minutes in, the backline was exposed due to a high ball in the air, which van Dijk then went to challenge for.The Dutchman did not get there, though, and took Alexis Mac Allister out in the process, with Neville left confused over how easily he let Mbeumo steal in behind him.“Watch van Dijk, that’s the thing that stuns me here.
Mbuemo runs off the back of him, I don’t think van Dijk sees him!” Neville said on Sky Sports.“Konate can’t get across, but watch van Dijk, Mbuemo gets up, reacts like a boxer who’s been punched and off he goes.READ MORE: Darren Bent says he’s already seen Florian Wirtz do something for Liverpool which blew his mind“Do you think van Dijk is passing him on or trying to play him offside,” he asked.“Watch him here, he slows down, he sort of points to Konate to say ‘it’s your man’. It’s a strange handover from him.”Arne Slot’s decision making has been questionableAlthough it did not necessarily impact the goal, Arne Slot’s choice of lineup has left fans a little confused, mainly in midfield.Mac Allister was preferred in midfield despite only playing for Argentina on Wednesday morning, meaning Dominik Szoboszlai started instead of Florian Wirtz.The lack of creativity was evident in the first-half, perhaps for this reason, with Man United very resolute at the back.The Reds, therefore, struggled to break them down, suggesting Slot might rethink his choice going forward.