'Nothing else': Michael Owen lauds Virgil van Dijk after what he said about Liverpool's draw vs Manchester United
01/05/2025 03:00 PM
Liverpool could only manage a draw against Manchester United as the Reds once again went through an entertaining fixture for the neutral.
Arne Slot’s side came back from 1-0 down to lead 2-1 heading into the final ten minutes, but Amad Diallo spoilt the party for Liverpool with a late equalising goal to ensure that the point were shared at a cold and wet Anfield.
With Trent Alexander-Arnold slaughtered by Roy Keane for his performance, a number of Liverpool players were far from their best against the Red Devils, though Alexis Mac Allister did win praise from Jamie Carragher for his performance for the Reds.
And Michael Owen has now lauded Virgil van Dijk after what the Liverpool captain had to say after full-time.
Van Dijk praised for honest verdict on Liverpool’s performance
Speaking to the Premier League’s official website, the former Liverpool striker was impressed by how honest Van Dijk was about the Reds’ performance today against United, with the defender admitting that the quality was not there to win the game.
Owen said about Van Dijk’s comments: "That's the Liverpool standards, you expect nothing else from Virgil van Dijk, and that's why they're at the top of the league. They'll be disappointed not to have won but it's not the end of the world for them."
READ MORE: Everything to know on Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk from his tattoo to net worth
With Liverpool fans unveiling a new banner urging FSG to award Van Dijk a new contract, the Dutch international more than showed post-match why the Reds need to do all they can to keep hold of the 33-year-old centre-back.
And Owen’s praise for Van Dijk again painted the picture of a player who Liverpool simply can’t afford to lose this summer, with the defender still one of the best in the world and an irreplaceable figure at Anfield.
Van Dijk was spot on about Liverpool’s display vs Manchester United
Van Dijk might have won praise from Owen for his honesty about Liverpool’s performance, but the defender was right to criticise himself and how the Reds showed themselves against a United side in rotten form.
Today could have been another record-breaking result for Liverpool given the form of the two sides heading into this afternoon’s encounter at Anfield, with a win looking all-but guaranteed for Slot’s side.
Yet Liverpool dropped the ball big time against United, and the Reds will want to bounce back in a big way midweek against Tottenham in the League Cup, where a win will be welcome for the Merseyside giants.
