VIRGIL VAN DIJK hit back at Roy Keane’s claim the Liverpool captain is “arrogant”.
But the Dutchman also surprisingly admitted he is a FAN of the Manchester United legend – despite his cutting remarks and the bitter rivalry.
AlamyVirgil van Dijk defended his comments despite Roy Keane’s criticism[/caption]
Sky SportsThe former Manchester United captain labelled the Reds defender as ‘arrogant’[/caption]
Van Dijk, 32, said “there was only one team trying to win the game” as the Red Devils snatched a 0-0 draw at Anfield on Sunday.
He added: “We were superior in all aspects, they were hoping to hurt us on the counter and they are buzzing with a point.”
Keane slammed the defender for the “arrogance [that] backfired on him today” and the “disrespect” on display in a blistering rant.
And now Van Dijk has responded by rejecting the fiery Irishman’s comments.
The ex-Southampton and Celtic star said: “I like Roy Keane, if he said that then it’s fine.
“He is Manchester United throughout and I understand he could react like that.
“But I felt what I said and there is absolutely no arrogance in that.
“Everyone who watched the game probably felt the same. We move on.
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“We had the opportunity and we couldn’t score and that’s the frustrating part.”
Van Dijk played the full 90 minutes of the stalemate at Anfield as the Reds failed to win a home Premier League game for the first time this season.
Liverpool racked up a whopping 34 shots to United’s six and enjoyed 68 per cent possession with 607 passes – more than double the 293 of their rivals.
Erik ten Hag’s side, who went into the game with 12 defeats from 24 matches this season, were forced into making 45 clearances and finished the game with ten men after Diogo Dalot’s brainless double yellow card for dissent.
The goalless draw saw Liverpool slip from first to second this weekend as Arsenal’s win over Brighton saw the Gunners leapfrog Jurgen Klopp’s men.
Van Dijk added: “Maybe [we were] trying to force it a little bit at times and we could have made a better decision but it was hard to break the low block down.
“You push, you push, you push and try to do everything in your power but it was one of those days we couldn’t find the right decision to score a goal.
“At times – I won’t say every time – we forced it too much to find a solution which wasn’t there but that’s football.”
