Liverpool ‘exposed’ by Virgil van Dijk development as footage analysed – Robinson
Liverpool were “exposed” in the absence of Virgil van Dijk on Wednesday night, according to Paul Robinson.
The former Spurs and England goalkeeper, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, said the Reds’ offside trap was ineffective without the 30-year-old.
Jurgen Klopp’s side booked their place in the Champions League semi-finals after a 3-3 draw with Benfica.
As shown on BT Sport (13 April), all three of the visitors’ goals came from marginal offside decisions, with two reviewed by VAR.
Virgil van Dijk has triggered more successful offside traps (40) than any other play in Europe’s top five leagues this season [Squawka]
However, the Netherlands international was absent from the starting XI at Anfield on Wednesday with Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate preferred.
When asked for his thoughts on Liverpool’s high line, Robinson told Football Insider‘s Dylan Childs: “They were exposed at the back.
“That offside trap did not work as well without Virgil van Dijk.
“It is hard for a team to play in the same way when a manager makes so many changes. When you look at the back four, they have barely ever played together.
“Even the midfield of [Jordan] Henderson, [James] Milner and [Naby] Keita. You can see why it was a disjointed and un-Liverpool-like performance.
“That high line made for an exciting end-to-end game. Benfica had a lot of chances. It was not like Liverpool but that is because of the squad rotation and the fact they were without Van Dijk.”
In other news, a pundit has rubbished Gary Neville’s title claim amid ‘huge’ Liverpool verdict.