Virgil van Dijk just confirmed Robbie Fowler's biggest fear about Liverpool star

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Robbie Fowler's damning verdict on one Liverpool player has seemingly been confirmed by Virgil van Dijk after the Reds' captain made an unforgivable admission after the Manchester City defeat

Virgil van Dijk admitted Liverpool's players 'gave up' against Manchester City(Image: Getty Images)

Virgil van Dijk has seemingly confirmed Robbie Fowler’s fear that one of Liverpool’s players “gave up” against Manchester City.

The Reds are out of the FA Cup after Saturday’s 4-0 thrashing at the Etihad Stadium, marking yet another low point in what has been a dismal season for the defending Premier League champions.

With the pressure mounting on Arne Slot, the Liverpool boss will need to find a way to salvage the campaign during what will be a crucial last couple of months. The Reds face Paris Saint-Germain next in the Champions League quarterfinals, while they have seven league games left to try and secure a spot at Europe’s top table for next season.

Based on recent evidence though, there isn’t much encouragement for Liverpool fans that their side will meet the bare minimum. The Reds’ misery was compounded after Saturday’s defeat when Van Dijk admitted that the players “gave up” against City.

"You come out of the dressing room [at half-time] to hopefully score the 2-1 as soon as possible to change the game, but obviously the opposite happens,” the Liverpool captain told reporters.

Then to come back from 3-0 is very difficult. But also, you shouldn't give up. That is maybe at a certain point what happened."

Van Dijk’s admission would appear to back up what Reds legend Robbie Fowler had to say about Ibrahima Konate after the game, with the former striker taking aim at the defender.

Robbie Fowler criticized Ibrahima Konate following Liverpool's FA Cup defeat to Manchester City

“You know you have tough times; I mentioned before about leaders, just look at the reaction from Konate, that’s like a defeatist attitude, someone who sort of gives in,” Fowler told TNT Sports when reviewing the footage of Antoine Semenyo’s goal to make it 3-0 to City.

“Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great finish, the movement is great, it’s a good goal by City, but I actually want a bit more from my team defensively. I think Konate just gives in.

“I’ve seen it on more than one occasion this year with him where the ball goes past him and he’s quick to sort of give in.”

Liverpool.com says: Fowler is spot on. This is becoming far too common an occurrence from Konate, and to have your own captain make those sorts of comments when your output is being questioned is so damning.

Konate has been far too unreliable this season. When he’s been bad, he has been unbelievably poor, and those performances have far outweighed the good displays.

Fans can forgive the odd off-day, but when your commitment is coming into question, that’s simply unforgivable. The question of whether Konate will sign a new contract is quickly turning into whether fans will even want to keep him, which he needs to put right, even if he does end up leaving in the summer.