Liverpool fans noticed an awkward moment between Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold during the 2-2 draw against Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday.
The Premier League leaders faced their long-time rivals in an intense clash, but Alexander-Arnold’s performance came under heavy scrutiny. The English defender was blamed for both goals Liverpool conceded, and a specific exchange with Van Dijk has drawn attention.
Late in the match, after Alexander-Arnold stopped an attack from United winger Alejandro Garnacho by kicking the ball out of play, Van Dijk was seen glaring at his teammate and shaking his head.
Fans quickly reacted to the moment on social media. One wrote, “That look spoke a thousand words,” while another added, “The head shaking too—you can tell he’s livid.” A third commented, “Van Dijk showed how millions of Liverpool fans felt about Trent’s performance today.”
Another fan quipped, “I thought Van Dijk was about to punch Trent—the death glare he gave him near the end was intense.”
Alexander-Arnold’s struggles were highlighted by the fact that he failed to win a single duel during his 86 minutes on the pitch. In contrast, Conor Bradley, who replaced him late in the game, won his first duel immediately after coming on.
The poor showing comes amid speculation linking Alexander-Arnold to a potential move to Real Madrid, either in January or on a free transfer in the summer.
However, Liverpool manager Arne Slot dismissed claims that the transfer rumors affected Alexander-Arnold’s performance. Speaking after the match, Slot said, “I know most people will say it affected him, but I disagree. What affected him was having to face Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot, two exceptional players for Portugal. That’s my view, even if others think differently.”
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