‘We need Matip’ ‘Shocking van Dijk!’ Liverpool fans livid after collapse

Liverpool fans are livid with the defense after a shocking collapse saw Salzburg score three unanswered goals on Wednesday night.

The Reds saw a 3-0 lead turn into a 3-3 draw as the Austrian side battled back in the late stages of the first half and the early stages of the second.

Hwang Hee-chan, Takumi Minamino and Erling Haaland hit scored between the 39th and 60th minutes in a flurry that left the Liverpool defense and supporters shellshocked.

Joe Gomez was starting alongside Virgil van Dijk after Joel Matip was ruled out through injury, could that have had something to do with the shambles?

https://twitter.com/carolinemariemd/status/1179491648012800000

Van Dijk was screwed into the ground by Hwang for Salzburg’s first of the night, while Gomez struggled to get into the fixture. Perhaps van Dijk does play better when he has Matip alongside him?

Mohamed Salah eventually scored his second of the game to send Liverpool into the lead and it was met with relief all around Anfield – a stark contrast to the first three goals, when the Reds briefly threatened to turn the 90 minutes into a procession.

Maybe van Dijk had an uncharacteristically poor game but the whole side looked far too open and Adrian nearly gifted the Austrian’s a goal earlier in the 90.

Jurgen Klopp’s team have looked vulnerable at times this season and that’s something we’re not used to seeing. With Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold bombing forward – check out Robbo’s goal for a beautiful example of that – the Reds can get exposed on the break.

Salzburg play like a mini Liverpool and maybe it shouldn’t come as a huge shock to see them going toe-to-toe with Klopp and causing the side problems.

Maybe Gomez was rusty and van Dijk had a rare day off, or maybe Matip does need to come back in as soon as possible. Bet you never thought you’d say that.