“I was surprised…” – Virgil van Dijk couldn’t believe one thing about Liverpool 2-2 Manchester United

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk was in shock about one thing in particular after drawing 2-2 against Manchester United on the weekend.

Manchester United secured a 2-2 draw against Premier League leaders Liverpool in a captivating clash at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.

Lisandro Martínez gave United the lead with a spectacular strike, but Cody Gakpo quickly equalized for the home side.

Controversy struck when VAR awarded Liverpool a penalty for a De Ligt handball, which Mo Salah confidently converted to put the hosts ahead.

United fought back, with Amad Diallo scoring the equalizer, and Harry Maguire nearly sealed a dramatic winner, only to see his effort narrowly miss the target.

While Ruben Amorim was encouraged by his team’s performance, he expressed frustration after the match over their inability to deliver such displays consistently.

Van Dijk surprised at United comment

In his pre-match press conference, Arne Slot was asked whether he would be resting players against United in a disrespectful question by one journalist.

The Liverpool manager pushed back on that and claimed that United are much better than their league position shows at the moment.

Virgil van Dijk echoed this opinion after the game, explaining his ‘shock’ when he heard the question ahead of the game.

“I heard in the press conference someone asked if we were going to rotate players against Man United. I was shocked,” he told Sky Sports.

“It is one of the biggest games of the season, and United will always make it tough. To hear that, I was surprised.”

Big games not the problem for United

Amorim has already showed some real positive signs in some of the big games he’s had so far, with United being the better team against Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur away from home.

The Reds were also in a good position at the Emirates against Arsenal until set-pieces ended up determining the game.

It is the other games, where United seem to be unable to react to setbacks and take advantage, which need to have major improvements.

“We can’t be satisfied. I’m pretty upset,” explained Bruno Fernandes after full-time at Anfield.

Read More: 88 touches, 40 passes – Alan Shearer names Manchester United’s true unsung hero vs Liverpool

“If we can show this at Anfield, why can’t we do this every week? We need to be aware that we need much more from ourselves.”

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