Carragher goal Liverpool ‘baby’ as Neville ‘stunned’

Gary Neville couldn’t believe what he saw from Virgil van Dijk in Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United as Jamie Carragher hit the Reds “baby”.

Harry Maguire’s last-minute header secured all three points for United at Anfield, highlighting the collective struggles of Arn Sloat’s side as well as poor individual performances from Mohamed Salah, Aleksandar Isak and Van Dijk, who was at fault for Brian Mbemo’s opener.

Van Dyke After colliding with team-mate Alexis McAllister – leaving him prostrate on the floor and wrapping his head around – and Mbemo, then Bruno Fernandes failed to intercept a pass or track him down after Mbemo dropped behind him.

Read more: Van Dijk, Salah and Isak all terrible as Manchester United push Liverpool into crisis

Gary Neville was left stunned by the Liverpool captain, saying of the comments: “McAllister went down, but what surprised me was Van Dijk. Mebemo got away from it. He can’t see it. It’s a big surprise.

“Mabimo reacts like a boxer off the ground, and he’s away. Mammadashvili can’t keep him out, a wonderful start for Manchester United. I can’t work if van Dijk is trying to play him off. He points to Contet as if to say, ‘That’s your man.’ It’s a strange handover on his part.

Analysis of Sky Sports’ objective, Roy Kane Said: “Obviously the referee can stop it but I don’t know why Virgil van Dijk is getting involved (with the header). Then he goes back (to tackle Fernandes) so he’s out of position. Liverpool are on the back foot but it’s poor from van Dijk.”

Redknapp added: “It’s great from United but Van Dijk made a big mistake. To splash it back. Yes there is a clash but you have to get back into form.

And Connett, much maligned and blamed for Liverpool’s struggles for much of this season, heaped praise on Carragher after the game, pouncing on Van Dijk in the process.

“The more worrying challenge is that Cunha won against Van Dijk ten seconds before,” Carragher said on Sky Sports.

“For a lot of this season, Van Dijk has had to look after Bebe Konte as well.

Milos Krkez endured another difficult game, and Neville opted for Liverpool’s left wing where Krkez played alongside van Dijk, a major problem for the Reds.

“Contet has been very high. At times, he’s been Liverpool’s only defender. He’s done a really good job. The rest of them are struggling,” Neville added.

“Usually Liverpool get penalties on the right-hand side of the defence. But today it’s on the left-hand side. Kerkes and Van Dijk have struggled.”