During Liverpool’s 3-0 triumph over Manchester United, footage surfaced revealing a clash between Liverpool’s captain Virgil van Dijk and United’s goalkeeper André Onana. Liverpool controlled the match at Old Trafford, with Luis Diaz netting twice and Mohamed Salah contributing another goal, marking his 15th career goal against United. This result exacerbated United’s difficulties under Erik ten Hag, with the team dropping to 14th place in the league standings, having accumulated only three points from their initial three games after consecutive losses to Brighton and Liverpool.
Manchester United experienced several frustrating moments during the game. A major issue was Casemiro’s two critical errors, which directly contributed to Liverpool’s goals, highlighting United’s defensive weaknesses this season. Moreover, Marcus Rashford was criticized for his decision-making in attack, notably opting to pass backward rather than taking a more assertive approach in front of goal. These errors emphasized United’s broader struggles, as they failed to match Liverpool’s energy and tactical prowess.
An understated but notable interaction between Van Dijk and Onana might have gone unnoticed by some viewers. During Liverpool’s corner kicks, Van Dijk positioned himself near Onana, leading Diogo Dalot to attempt to keep him away. In response, Onana, evidently annoyed by Van Dijk’s presence, threw a sharp elbow into the Liverpool captain’s midsection. Although Van Dijk had every reason to be upset, he remained composed and responded playfully, exaggerating the impact with a broad smile. The exchange of words between the two did not escalate, with Van Dijk’s light-hearted response diffusing any potential tension.
The match also saw a heated confrontation between Van Dijk and United defender Lisandro Martinez. Frustration boiled over shortly after Liverpool’s first goal when Martinez made a reckless challenge on Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai, causing Szoboszlai to fall and earning Martinez a yellow card from referee Anthony Taylor. Van Dijk, clearly unhappy with Martinez’s aggression, confronted him, engaging in a brief but intense verbal exchange despite the referee’s attempts to intervene. Van Dijk’s challenge to Martinez, “Come try that with me,” underscored his competitive spirit and leadership on the field.
Overall, Liverpool’s dominant performance under manager Arne Slot was marked not only by their on-field superiority but also by Van Dijk’s leadership and ability to handle on-field confrontations. Despite the incidents, Liverpool remained focused and secured a decisive victory over their rivals, further aggravating United’s early-season struggles.
