Emile Heskey believes Virgil van Dijk was ‘too comfortable’ during Liverpool’s defeat to Arsenal, as he told Sky Sports Football (15/07/20, 8 pm start).
After Liverpool took the lead through Sadio Mane, the Premier League champions then gifted the home side with two goals – both Van Dijk and Alisson were at fault for the goals.
From Van Dijk’s perspective, it was an out-of-character moment, as he was dispossessed by Reiss Nelson on the edge of his own area for the equaliser before Alexandre Lacazette put the ball into the back of the net.
Former Reds striker, Heskey, was watching the game for Sky and he reacted to both Van Dijk’s and Allison’s mistakes, as he expressed that he was ‘very surprised’.
“I just think he [Van Dijk] gets too comfortable,” Heskey told Sky Sports. “Very complacent. Things at times need to be done quicker. And I don’t know why you would let the forward come and disturb you like that anyway.
“No, we are not [accustomed to Van Dijk making mistakes]. But the best of us make mistakes, at times.
On the mistakes leading to Arsenal’s second goal: “This is the thing. Coming from two players that are very consistent. The goalkeeper in Alisson and Van Dijk. Again, it’s just sloppy. It’s too easy. You can clear that ball. I know everyone wants to play out from the back, neat, tidy and sexy football. But, at times, you have to clear the ball. I am very, very surprised by this.”
The mistakes won’t worry Jurgen Klopp that much, but it is perhaps the manner in which his side have performed since becoming Premier League champions.
Whilst the Reds were dominant against Arsenal yesterday, in recent games, they have looked rusty, but that could be understandable given the high bar they have set this season.
Liverpool’s chances of recording 100+ points has now ended, but their fans won’t mind too much because they have the Premier League title in their cabinet.
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