Liverpool’s frustrating evening at the Gtech Community Stadium has sparked major controversy after captain Virgil van Dijk publicly questioned the team’s selection and tactics in the wake of their shocking 3–2 loss to Brentford.
The defeat — which saw Liverpool squander a lead and suffer yet another defensive collapse — has raised eyebrows among fans and pundits alike, but Van Dijk’s post-match comments have stolen all the headlines.
“He’s clearly not ready. He should never have been started in a crucial match like this,” the Dutch defender told reporters after the game. “Well, I don’t blame him. I blame the coach who made this call — and now we are all paying for it.”
Van Dijk’s brutal honesty reflects growing frustration inside the Liverpool camp following what many are calling one of the team’s most avoidable defeats of the season.
The match started brightly for the Reds, who took an early lead through Mohamed Salah, but the momentum quickly shifted as Brentford’s physical style and relentless pressing began to expose Liverpool’s defensive weaknesses.
A defensive mix-up midway through the first half gifted Brentford their equalizer, and by the hour mark, the hosts had taken a 3–1 lead after two quick goals from set pieces. A late strike from Darwin Núñez gave Liverpool hope, but it wasn’t enough to rescue even a point.
For many fans, the defeat was not just about poor execution — it was about poor decisions from the technical bench.
In his post-match interview, Van Dijk did not hold back. The usually composed captain looked visibly upset and disappointed, hinting at deep dissatisfaction with the team’s preparation and lineup choices.
While Van Dijk didn’t name the player directly, sources suggest his frustration was aimed at one of Liverpool’s younger or recently returning players, who struggled to keep up with Brentford’s pace and intensity.
According to several reports, the player in question looked overwhelmed throughout the match — losing possession in dangerous areas, failing to track runners, and missing key duels that led to Brentford’s goals.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot, who took charge of the team this season, had reportedly wanted to rotate the squad to manage fatigue and give certain players a chance to prove themselves. However, the gamble did not pay off.
Brentford capitalized on every bit of inexperience on the field, targeting weak links and forcing errors that ultimately cost Liverpool the game.