Arsene Wenger has criticised Virgil Van Dijk for his role in Luis Suarez’s opener in Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat at Barcelona.
Liverpool’s Champions League hopes hang by a thread following the defeat at the Nou Camp, after Suarez and a Lionel Messi brace put the Spanish side in a commanding position for the second leg next week.
Former Arsenal boss Wenger, who’s Arsenal teams were not exactly notorious for being defensively sound, was critical of Van Dijk for the opener and offered his own pearls of defensive wisdom.
“Physically they are stronger than Barcelona, especially pace-wise,” Wenger told BEIN Sport.
“Barcelona made two or three yellow cards because they could not even run with Liverpool’s players.
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“But when they get into the final third Barca have that quality. One chance, one goal.
“It is very interesting because Virgil van Dijk [usually] covers, but he should go with Suarez to cover that goal.
“Especially from a centre-back with that quality… he lets him go. At the start his position is not bad, but he refuses to respond.
“It’s a great goal because the cross is fantastic. For a goalscorer it is ideal. It is marvellous football.”
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