If someone had told you that there would be an error leading to a goal by a centre-back in the match between Arsenal and Liverpool, a vast majority, if not all, would expect the eccentric David Luiz to be the culprit.
However, that wasn’t the case at the Emirates Stadium, as it was Liverpool's standout defender Virgil Van Dijk who gifted Arsenal an equaliser after being robbed off the ball at the edge of his team’s box. The Dutch international rarely puts a foot wrong, let alone make a high-profile that would cost his team big time.
Lacazette goal, look at this from mr ‘best defender in the world’ Van dijk 👀👋🏻 pic.twitter.com/JwR603gIlX
— ً (@KieranCFC88) July 15, 2020
Following that goal, Arsenal scored another which came courtesy of an error from Alisson, as Liverpool’s two star men were seemingly out of sorts at the Emirates.
NELSON MAKES IT TWO!! After taking the ball off Van Dijk to create the first, he scores himself! Arsenal lead Liverpool 2-1! #ARSLIV pic.twitter.com/PnTtbHhQha
— Take Ballon D’or 2023 (@TechnicalTake26) July 15, 2020
Arsenal held on to their gifted lead for the rest of the night, beating Liverpool and ending the Reds’ hopes of breaking Manchester City's record of 100 points in a Premier League season. The internet was unforgiving of Van Dijk and Alisson for their error and here are some of the best reactions:
Van Dijk and Alisson created more chances for Arsenal than Arsenal did for Arsenal.
— Troll Football (@TrollFootball) July 15, 2020
Van Dijk's error led to one of only two shots that Arsenal managed on the Liverpool goal. They converted both. And Manchester United fans were quick to point the hypocrisy when it comes to comparing Van Dijk and Harry Maguire.
If Harry Maguire does what Van Dijk just did he'd be hammered. Football has become so shallow. Everyone makes mistakes
— Mark Goldbridge (@markgoldbridge) July 15, 2020
Dejan Lovren and Loris Karius have given Liverpool fans nightmares with their high-profile errors.
Allison and Van Dijk since winning the Premier League: pic.twitter.com/LCXn0zYGPF
— Footy Humour (@FootyHumour) July 15, 2020
No points record, no golden boot for Salah and no golden glove for Alisson pic.twitter.com/XuU0KGsd2h
— Dan 🇧🇷🔴 (@Ifcdan) July 11, 2020
The title may be theirs, but Liverpool fans wanted more.
Simeone and Mourinho after watching Mikel Arteta tonight pic.twitter.com/tXglnLonyl
— Waldo🔴⚪ (@AtleticoLondon) July 15, 2020
A smash and grab against Liverpool? That’s straight from the Jose Mourinho and Diego Simeone school of coaching.
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Glyn Kirk
