Gary Neville explains why Liverpool fans should be 'really worried' about Virgil van Dijk

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Evening Standard

·9. November 2025

Gary Neville explains why Liverpool fans should be 'really worried' about Virgil van Dijk

The club captain produced a “bizarre” display as Man City ran out 3-0 winners on Sunday

Gary Neville is joining the growing chorus of concern regarding Virgil van Dijk's performances for Liverpool, describing his efforts against Manchester City as "bizarre".

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The Reds skipper has been in a war of words with Wayne Rooney in recent weeks after the Manchester United great questioned his leadership qualities in light of the club's alarming downturn in form.

And now Neville has voiced concerns of his own after Liverpool went down 3-0 at Manchester City on Sunday, highlighting Van Dijk's poor defending for the game's second goal from Nico Gonzalez, which came in first-half injury time.

"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 while on co-commentary for Sky Sports.

"They’ve lost every battle one-on-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

Gary Neville

"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."

Van Dijk had earlier seen an equalising goal disallowed due to an interfering Andy Robertson being offside, which caused brief controversy.

Neville added: "When you're losing 3-0, you can't be whinging about a disallowed goal."

Former Liverpool striker Sturridge also questioned Van Dijk's defending. He said on Sky Sports: "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."