Virgil Van Dijk Responds To Claims He Was 'Arrogant' Against Leeds United

Virgil van Dijk has hit back at claims that his performance against Leeds United was 'arrogant,' after he was at fault for the visitors second goal.

Liverpool and Leeds played out a magnificent Premier League opening day game, with the defending champions coming out 4-3 on top thanks to a late penalty by Mohamed Salah.

Van Dijk got himself on the scoresheet in the first half but his most notable contribution was his mistake for Leeds' second goal, as he failed to clear a ball into the area and allowed Patrick Bamford to score.

Following his 'lazy' attempt at the clearance, the former Southampton defender was called 'arrogant' by a number of pundits, but he's hit back at that suggestion.

"It was one of those... they are situations that can happen," he told beIN Sports.

"I always try to do my best and that's what I did. Unfortunately a goal came from it but I don't worry about that."

Bamford was allowed in by Van Dijk to equalise. Image: PA Images

Speaking about the match, the Dutchman added, "We expected an intense match.

"No one wants to concede goals but it was intense for both teams. We trained for that and we knew that could happen.

"The points are massive of course. They [Leeds] will trouble many teams in the league I think so it was good for us to get the three points. But we still have things to work on."

Salah's late penalty earned Liverpool a win. Image: PA Images

Speaking during the match, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp was the first one to call out Van Dijk, saying, "That's just too arrogant.

"He tries to flick it around rather than just dealing with it. Maybe that's because it's Leeds United, a new team, and he thinks it's a little bit too easy.

"But Patrick Bamford has been given a gift by that man."

Van Dijk's header had put Jurgen Klopp's side 2-1 up, after they'd previously been pegged back at 1-0, before Bamford made it 2-2.

The Reds were again ahead before half-time but once more the newly promoted side levelled up at 3-3. Van Dijk thought he'd made it 4-3 from another corner but it was ruled out for a foul in the build up. Eventually Salah's second penalty of the game secured all three points.

Topics: Liverpool, Football News, Premier League, Leeds United, Virgil Van Dijk, Patrick Bamford

Ryan Sidle

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