Micah Richards has criticised Virgil van Dijk for some 'strange' defending in the build-up to Manchester United's opening goal.
Liverpool started the game tonight in lacklustre fashion, seemingly rattled by a raucous atmosphere around Old Trafford and an aggressive United team. Erik Ten Hag's side deservedly took the lead after just 16 minutes when Jadon Sancho calmly slotted into the bottom corner.
While Old Trafford was bouncing, Sky cameras pointed to a very public confrontation between Van Dijk and James Milner, with replays showing the Dutch giant deep and unable to react quick enough. And former Manchester City defender Richards criticised the 31-year-old for some 'strange' defending.
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"I am looking at a clip now and seeing some afters between Milner and Van Dijk," Richards told BBC Radio 5Live. "Sancho had three or four seconds in the box to pick where he is going to put it and Van Dijk is just stood with his arms behind his back - that is so unlike Van Dijk.
"He is normally so dominant, he reads the game so well and would get out to Sancho but he is in acres of space and I know people will talk about Milner and how he got sat down in the box but Van Dijk literally just stands there.
"It is such strange defending, we all know Van Dijk he has had his injuries and they are a way better team when he is in the side but some of these mistakes are so uncharacteristic from him and I just can't believe what I'm seeing from such a world-class defender. It's so strange to see."
The home side continued to see the better of the chances as Liverpool's defence were left wanting, with the pace of Anthony Elanga, Marcus Rashford and Sancho causing a host of problems. Jurgen Klopp's side picked up some possession towards half-time but were unable to find a leveller going into the break.
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