‘Arrogant’ Van Dijk told to go back to basics after shaky Liverpool moment

Gabby Agbonlahor believes Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk had an air of arrogance about him in Saturday’s 4-3 win over Leeds.

The Reds looked typically frightening going forward but shakiness was present at the back for Jurgen Klopp’s men.

Klopp admitted Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson made a mistake that should “never happen” for Jack Harrison’s first equaliser.

And before half-time, Van Dijk was at fault as his attempted flicked clearance fell to Patrick Bamford. The Englishman smartly slotted home to make it 2-2.

Speaking to talkSPORT about the latter incident, Agbonlahor questioned whether Van Dijk can yet be considered among the greatest defenders in Premier League history.

“Everyone knows Virgil van Dijk is an unbelievable defender,” the former Aston Villa striker said. “On the ball he can switch the diagonals, and defensively no one wants to come up against him.

“But I felt yesterday’s performance was, from Van Dijk, arrogant; that flick he made in the goal he gave away, it felt like ‘we are playing Leeds United, it’s going to be an easy game and I can let my standards drop’.

“And in that game, he did [let his standards drop]. Even Trent Alexander-Arnold on the right was poor defensively as well.

“Van Dijk is a great defender, and he will be one of the greatest defenders to ever play the game.

“But when people start putting him in the Vincent Kompany and Rio Ferdinand bracket, I think people forget how good certain players were as time goes by.”

‘VAN DIJK NOT ON FERDINAND’S LEVEL’

“People forget how good Rio Ferdinand was in his prime; you wouldn’t even want to go on the same side of the pitch as him!” Agbonlahor added.

“It was the same with Kompany, and John Terry as well; you just wouldn’t want to take them on as you’d have no chance.

“Virgil van Dijk is an amazing defender, but you can’t put him in that category of Rio Ferdinand and Vincent Kompany yet.”

Liverpool eventually finished Marcelo Bielsa’s men off; Mohamed Salah’s second penalty of the evening capped his hat-trick and proved the decisive seventh goal for the Reds.

READ MORE: Player Ratings from Liverpool 4-3 Leeds