Arsenal legend takes swipe at Virgil van Dijk over role in West Ham goal

Arsenal legend Martin Keown criticized Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk for his role in West Ham's first goal on Saturday at Anfield as Tomas Soucek scored

Arsenal legend Martin Keown criticized Virgil van Dijk for his role in Tomas Soucek's goal(Image: Getty)

Martin Keown accused Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk of being "sat in his deck chair" following Tomas Soucek's early second-half goal for West Ham.

Liverpool headed into the second half 3-0 up thanks to goals by Hugo Ekitike, a header by Van Dijk, and Alexis Mac Allister. However, West Ham gave Liverpool an early scare, with Soucek getting on the end of Malik Diouf's cross to reduce the deficit to two in the 49th minute.

The Czech ghosted in between Ryan Gravenberch and Van Dijk, but the Liverpool captain appeared to give up, allowing Soucek to find the back of the net. Arsenal legend Keown hit out at Van Dijk for his role in West Ham's first, accusing the Dutch international of being "sat in his deck chair" as Soucek struck.

"That was one of those situations at the start of the second half where Virgil van Dijk is still sat in his deck chair and fair play to Tomas Soucek, he comes out the blocks," he said on BBC's Final Score.

Liverpool went on to extend their lead to 4-2 thanks to a clever finish by Cody Gakpo with 20 minutes left. The Dutchman got a shot off with his trusty right foot and found the bottom right corner.

The Hammers again gave Liverpool a scare five minutes later, with Taty Castellanos heading home at the back post. But as with West Ham's first, the Reds responded again to restore the three-goal deficit, with Axel Disasi turning the ball into his own net.

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