Jamie Carragher has told Sky Sports that Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has got to close down Jadon Sancho as the England international opened the scoring for Manchester United on Monday night, against Liverpool at Old Trafford.
Erik ten Hag’s side produced a surprise win over Liverpool, winning 2-1. Sancho opened the scoring, showing stunning composure inside the Reds penalty area. He sat down both James Milner and Alisson before side-footing into the net.
But having sat down Milner and Alisson, van Dijk chose not to approach Sancho. It allowed the ex-Dortmund man to get his shot away, with van Dijk opting to chance his luck and get in the way of the shot – his hands behind his back.
It gave Sancho time and space to pick his spot. Marcus Rashford made it two, before Mo Salah got one for Liverpool. But the game finished 2-1 to United – leaving Liverpool with just two points from three games. Carragher was critical.
“Van Dijk has got to come out, I don’t understand. He’s 10/10 for most things, but one thing I do question him on, he does lack intensity. Even in the Champions League final,” Carragher said, pitchside at Old Trafford on Sky Sports.
“He’s rarely seen on the floor and that’s a good thing for a defender. But sometimes you’ve got to just throw yourself at it. He made himself smaller, be more aggressive and slide in.”
Carragher: Liverpool defender van Dijk has got to close down Sancho
There have been question marks surrounding van Dijk this season, already. He looked uncomfortable and nervous against Aleksandar Mitrovic. The Dutchman conceded a penalty in which Mitrovic scored to draw Fulham level.
Against Palace, there were some that criticised him not throwing himself at Wilfried Zaha to block his shot. However, there is a case to be said that he was preparing for Zaha to cut inside. Against United, though, it is hard to make a case.
He simply has to close down Sancho. It is inexcusable as to why he chose to try and block the incoming shot and therefore opening up the goal for Sancho to slide the ball home. The doubts are growing, and van Dijk is out of form.
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