Liverpool fans have been left furious after their side suffered a defensive collapse to go 3-1 down to Fulham at half-time in their Premier League clash.
The Reds took the lead at Craven Cottage through Alexis Mac Allister’s stunning long-range strike.
But Fulham equalised on 23 minutes through Ryan Sessegnon’s third goal in seven matches, before two errors in quick succession from Andy Robertson – including a misplaced cross-field pass attempt to Curtis Jones – allowed Alex Iwobi to make it 2-1.
And Rodrigo Muniz made it 3-1 before half-time after more poor defending from Arne Slot’s side.
Liverpool will end the day at least 11 points ahead of second-placed Arsenal in the table with seven games to play, but some of their performances in recent weeks have been less than convincing.
And Reds fans have called out two players in particular over their first half performances.
Taking to Twitter, one fan wrote: “This is horrifying to watch. Van Dijk a shade of himself since that week where we lost twice.”
Another said: “That [the third goal] was Van Dijk’s fault, didn’t bolster himself and got moved off too easily.”
A third claimed: “Van Dijk against a striker who has any sort of power.”
A fourth, meanwhile, wrote: “Misplaced pass. Misses the header which falls directly to Fulham player. A shocking few seconds for Andy Robertson.”
Andy Robertson reacts after Liverpool go 2-1 down vs Fulham (Image: Sky Sports)
And a fifth questioned: “Genuinely baffled that a player of Robertson’s experience would play that pass.”
This is the fourth time that Liverpool have conceded three or more goals in a match under Arne Slot – though one of those matches ended in an away win.
The Reds defeated Tottenham 6-3 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in December, while they drew 3-3 at Newcastle in one of the matches of the season in the same month.
Their only defeat in such a scenario came in the final group stage match of the Champions League, where a youthful Liverpool side lost 3-2 at PSV.
Although he has had a difficult few weeks, Van Dijk has been one of Liverpool’s star performers for much of the season – with a decision soon to be made on whether he renews a contract which expires at the end of the campaign.
Speaking earlier this month, the Reds captain said: “I can’t say more than there will be news in the upcoming weeks. Whether that’s positive or not, I have no idea at this point.
“I’m calm and what will happen, will happen.
“Like I said also many times before, I love the club and the club loves me. I love playing for Liverpool, I love leading out the boys each and every game.”
