Van Dijk says red card made Liverpool’s task harder against Manchester City

Virgil van Dijk said Ryan Gravenberch’s sending-off made Liverpool’s challenge against Manchester City significantly more difficult as the defending champions suffered a 3-0 defeat at Anfield.

The result came in the sixth round of the Premier League and left Manchester City top of the table with 18 points from six wins. Liverpool remain ninth on nine points.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Liverpool captain Van Dijk said the dismissal had a major impact after half-time.

“The red card changed the game in the second half, especially because we conceded a quick goal afterwards,” he said. “We were playing with 10 men, then we conceded another quick goal, and the match became difficult again against Manchester City.”

Van Dijk also reflected on the atmosphere inside Anfield, where supporters displayed a banner before kick-off featuring Pep Guardiola, his former Manchester City players and the word “thieves”. The banner also referred to the 114 cases brought against Manchester City by the Premier League.

“I think the atmosphere here is always great, and I have been fortunate to play in many big matches at this stadium,” Van Dijk said.

“It may have been a different atmosphere for some of the players, but I was ready for the contest and I think we showed that, especially in the first half.”

Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki scored Manchester City’s goals. The victory was their third consecutive win against Liverpool in the Premier League and their fourth in a row against them in all competitions.

Haaland’s goal was his ninth against Liverpool in 12 appearances. Cherki has now contributed to six of his past seven matches for club and country, scoring four goals and providing two assists.

Every Manchester City player was involved in the attacking move that led to Cherki’s goal.

The defeat extended a difficult sequence for Liverpool, while Manchester City maintained their perfect start to the Premier League season. Liverpool’s side also included Lewis Koumas, who became the first player to make his first Premier League start for the club against the team top of the table before kick-off since Reece Williams faced Tottenham in December 2020.