By Samuel A. December 18, 2023
Virgil van Dijk claimed Liverpool were superior in all aspects over Manchester United in their frustrating 0-0 draw on Super Sunday. Jurgen Klopp’s side pushed for a goal in a game where they were heavily favoured to win, but United found a way to keep their opponents’ attack at bay despite the hostess having 34 shots.
United were also close to winning the game when Alisson was tested by Rasmus Højlund, which he managed to keep away, making both teams settle for a point.
When asked for his opinion on the game, Virgil said he thought Liverpool did more than enough to win it. “There was only one team trying to win the game”, he said. “Unfortunately it didn’t happen. We want to win every game, especially a team like them. It’s frustrating as we were superior in all aspects and they were just hoping on the counter attack to hurt us. In the end they are buzzing with a point and we are disappointed with a point. They aren’t in the best phase so coming here you have to worry about the threat we have. But we should have won today. There are big games coming up and we won’t dwell on it.”
Roy Keane on the other hand was having none of it, as he hit back at the Liverpool captain : “There’s a lot of arrogance coming out of him, dissing Manchester United like that. He needs reminding that he is playing for a club that has won one title in 30 odd years. Manchester United are in a difficult place, just like Liverpool have been in a difficult place for many years. So maybe that arrogance backfired on him today. He needs to remember where he is coming from. One title in 33 years? e said Man United were buzzing and one team came to play. Yeah, I’ve come to Anfield many times with Manchester United where Liverpool were in a tough place and were happy with a draw. The bottom line is that the most important stat is the scoreline. Liverpool had chances and didn’t take them. That’s their own fault.”
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp also thought they should’ve won, calling the performance their most dominant showing against a Manchester United side, including the 7-0 win last season. “I saw a lot of good things, the one thing I don’t like is the result. We should have scored. We were in a rush in moments but I liked a lot the intensity of the game and the start to the game. Everyone saw what we wanted, our counter-pressing was good as a group and we didn’t let them out. I can’t remember such a dominant performance against Man Utd – even the 7-0 they were more in the game. Now it’s 0-0 they probably feel slightly better than us. But we take the point and keep going. It was the type of game I expected. If we play like this it is difficult for the opposite team to get out of their own half and the way United defended was clean with a lot of passion. If you score it changes the dynamic of the game and they open up a bit and take more risk. But nothing changed, they threw everything in and it’s a 0-0.”
