Roy Keane had called Van Dijk ‘arrogant.’
Former Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness has had his say on the Virgil van Dijk and Roy Keane ‘‘arrogance’ debate.
The ex Liverpool star was working alongside Keane last season when Liverpool played Man United at Anfield, but going into that game, the mood was very different.
United were flying high, on a winning streak and had bagged the Carabao Cup a few weeks earlier, while Jurgen Klopp’s men were badly struggling for form.
Neville told Souness pitchside before kick off that it was the most confident he had ever felt going to Anfield, and of course, we all know what happened next, with Liverpool winning 7-0 and recording a historic victory.
The retired pundit was the only one who backed The Reds that day, and claimed Neville and Keane were both being over confident, so he is probably the best person to weigh in on this debate.
Graeme Souness weighs in on Virgil van Dijk and Roy Keane ‘arrogance’ debate.
Following a frustrating 0-0 draw, Van Dijk claimed that only one team were trying to win the game, prompting Keane to call him “Arrogant” and remind him that he plays for a club that “only won one title in 30 years.”
Speaking on talkSPORT, the Scotland native had his say on the matter.
“I think it’s understandable, you’re frustrated, it’s a game you’ve dominated, a game you’re expected to win, a sense of frustration.
🗣 "There was only one team that were trying to win the game."
Virgil van Dijk admits Liverpool's goalless draw with Manchester United is 'frustrating' 😕🔴 pic.twitter.com/LOC3MhQz9f
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 18, 2023
“He could have been a bit more magnanimous in his choice of words, but he was right, wasn’t he? There was only one team trying to win it.
“There was only one team who set out their stall before a ball was kicked, in minute one, they tried to win the game.
“Man United were in survival mode by the way they set out to play, and don’t take my word for it, stats tell you that!
“Where I’d be critical of Van Dijk is, get used to it! This isn’t a new thing for big teams, it would have been the same for Man United when they were the dominant force.
"He needs a reminder he's playing for a club that's won one title in 30 odd years."
Roy Keane felt Virgil van Dijk was 'arrogant' an 'disrespecting Manchester United' in his interview after the game🔊pic.twitter.com/KWDdeXO838
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 18, 2023
“Teams going to Old Trafford and sitting in and try and nick the game, this is not a new thing.”
“His initial words, and maybe he could have been a bit gentler in his choice of words, I think are correct.
“There was only one team that tried to win the game, and this is born out of frustration.”
Graeme Souness makes pretty big claim about Anfield’s atmosphere against Man United.
“I don’t think it’s arrogant!” ❌🤷♂️
“Keane has just hit back because he’s a Utd person. #MUFC came not to lose the game.”
Simon Jordan disagrees with Roy Keane calling out Van Dijk for his post-match comments. pic.twitter.com/IFvRASzg63
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) December 18, 2023
Souness also made a pretty big claim about the atmosphere at Anfield during the game against United.
With much 34 shots and 69% of possession leading to no goals, it was a very frustrating match to watch for the home supporters, and the former Liverpool boss thought that it affected the mood in the stadium.
“For Van Dijk standing as a spectator for the vast majority of that game looking at his team playing in the last third, pummelling away, having no joy, being frustrated…
“I was surprised, I thought the crowd got a bit frustrated at Anfield which I can honestly say in my time never witnessed as a manager or player, not to that extent.
“And I think that was born out of frustration by the crowd, because of who they were playing, because it was Man United, they get frustrated by that.
“They turned up last year and they win 7-0, so ‘of course we’re going to win this week’, they’re thinking to themselves, it didn’t happen, deal with it!
“It’s not a new thing teams going to Anfield, sitting in, and trying to win the game.”
Related links:
- Roy Keane calls out ‘arrogant’ Virgil van Dijk for Man United remark
- Roy Keane cracks up entire studio as England’ Euro 2024 chances debated
- Virgil van Dijk responds to Roy Keane’s ‘arrogant’ call out
