Liverpool supporters have criticised Virgil van Dijk after the defender’s early mistakes contributed to Villarreal taking a two-goal lead at Anfield, even as the hosts recovered to win 4-3 in the Champions League.
The captain was at fault for the opening goal when his header back toward Alisson was intercepted by Georges Mikautadze, and he was also involved in the defensive breakdown that allowed Sergi Cardona to double the advantage.
Fan reaction on social media focused on the early concessions and broader concerns about his form.
One supporter, posting as xyz, wrote: “Van Dijk was an absolute disaster against Villarreal.
“Liverpool scored 4 goals and still had to sweat because their so called defensive leader couldn’t do his job.”
Dale added: “Van Dijk was proving his haters right.” Adika described the first half as “one of the worst half’s I’ve seen from Van Dijk in a Liverpool shirt,” while OLSC Seattle posted: “Jesus wept, VVD with an absolute howler trying to head it back to Ali and Villarreal have scored. Good lord!”
LazzyLFC called the opening minutes “the worst Van Dijk I have ever seen,” and Ryan McMahon labelled him “horrific.”
Further comments included “Van Dijk is finished man,” “Vvd past it,” and “Massive error by van Dijk… Horrendous start to this game.”
The criticism came despite Liverpool’s eventual victory, which was sealed by goals from Alexis Mac Allister, Ronald Araujo and Florian Wirtz after the hosts had trailed 2-0.
Van Dijk’s involvement in three of Villarreal’s goals, including the late consolation from Tani Oluwaseyi after he failed to hold the offside line, drew particular scrutiny.