Steve McManaman has claimed that Virgil Van Dijk ‘didn’t want anything’ to do with Ivan Toney during Liverpool’s 3-3 draw at Brentford on Saturday evening.
The former Liverpool flyer thinks Van Dijk ‘pushed’ the responsibility of defending against Toney onto Joel Matip, as he told Premier League Productions (25/09/21 at 6:30 pm).
Toney, 25, may not have got on the scoresheet, but one thing is for sure, the hard-hitting striker made himself known to the opposition.
Whether it’s holding the ball up, making quality runs with the ball, clever decision-making when in tight areas or simply vacating space for others.
It was an outstanding display from the boyhood Liverpool fan, who didn’t just cause Van Dijk issues, but he also ensured that Matip remembered his name.
McManaman spoke about the ‘problems’ that were being caused by Toney and Co. and how it was a difficult night for Jurgen Klopp’s backline.
“If anything Virgil Van Dijk has pushed Ivan Toney onto Joel Matip,” said McManaman. “You deal with him. He doesn’t want anything to do with him.
“But they have caused them problems. Early on, I thought Liverpool started slow, as if there was an arrogance ‘we are here today and we will win’.
“We haven’t seen Liverpool defend like this for many a game. But Brentford got into them and went through them. Time after time, after time.”
An Istanbul-like scoreline saw Liverpool drop valuable points in their quest to make the early charge in the Premier League title race.
The dropped points will be even more frustrating for the Reds because they would have seen hours earlier that, Manchester United lost at home to Aston Villa and Chelsea were beaten by Manchester City.
Yet they weren’t able to pounce on that early slip-ups from their title rivals.
But whilst the Bees put three past them, if they produce a performance of similar quality, at the weekend, then it’s good night because Pep Guardiola’s side will be coming to town.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
