Gary Neville was on commentary duty for Man City vs Liverpool (Picture: Getty)
Gary Neville criticised Virgil van Dijk as Liverpool suffered a ‘really worrying’ defeat to Premier League title rivals Manchester City.
It was suggested that Liverpool had not only stopped the rot but turned a corner as they beat Aston Villa and Real Madrid in their last two games.
But Arne Slot’s side were brought crashing back down to earth as they were thumped 3-0 by Man City at the Etihad Stadium.
Erling Haaland headed the hosts in front – shortly after having a penalty saved by Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili – before Nicolas Gonzalez doubled City’s lead on the stroke of half-time.
Man City’s second was a particularly bitter blow for Liverpool as it came shortly after they thought they had equalised, only for Van Dijk’s header to be ruled out for a controversial offside decision.
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Van Dijk’s powerful head was chalked off as Andy Robertson, clearly standing in an offside position, was adjudged to be impacting play in front of Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Liverpool improved after the break but Jeremy Doku effectively put the game to bed when he superbly curled home City’s third on the hour mark.
Virgil van Dijk during Liverpool’s defeat to Man City (Picture: Getty)
While Manchester City climb to second in the Premier League – four points behind early pacesetters Arsenal – a humbling defeat leaves defending champions Liverpool eighth, eight points off the top.
Eight-time Premier League winner Neville described Liverpool’s performance at the Etihad Stadium as ‘really worrying’ and was baffled by Van Dijk’s role in Man City’s second goal.
Gonzalez’s long-range strike took a nick off a stationary Van Dijk before flying past a helpless Mamardashvili in the Liverpool goal.
‘It’s a really worrying performance for Liverpool, it’s as bad a performance from them that I’ve seen in a long time,’ Neville said on Sky Sports commentary.
Jeremy Doku starred in Man City’s victory (Picture: Getty)
‘They’ve lost every battle one-v-one, every single one of them. Their legs looked gone in that first half.
‘Virgil van Dijk was really strange for Man City’s second. He was just standing there and lets it hit him. There’s a little movement from his right leg and it kills his goalkeeper.
‘Liverpool fans will be worried. There was a huge amount of optimism around the transfer window but it’s not quite happening yet and this is a big disappointment today.’
Ex-Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge also questioned Van Dijk’s defending in a crucial moment in the match, adding: ‘Virg sticks a leg out but it wasn’t decisive.
‘Liverpool have been well short, I expected more organisation and better pressing. I expected a better performance after the Real Madrid win but the players just haven’t been at it.’
Manchester City return to Premier League action following the international break against Newcastle United, while Liverpool play host to Nottingham Forest.
Leaders Arsenal, whose ten-game winning run was ended by Sunderland on Saturday, face north London rivals Tottenham next.
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