Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has hit back at claims from Roy Keane that he was being "arrogant" after Manchester United held the Reds to a goalless draw on Sunday.
Jurgen Klopp's side dropped points at Anfield for the first time this season against the Red Devils, who were on the back foot for the majority of the contest but benefitted from a poor attacking display from their hosts.
Andre Onana had eight saves to make in the Man United goal, but Liverpool had 34 shots in total without scoring, their most in a Premier League match without making the net bulge since data became available at the start of the 2003-04 season.
Speaking to Sky Sports News after 90 minutes of frustration, Van Dijk claimed that "there was only one team trying to win the game" as Erik ten Hag's men absorbed copious amounts of pressure from Klopp's side.
Van Dijk's comments did not go down well with former Man United skipper Keane, who aimed a dig at the Dutchman over Liverpool's lack of Premier League success since the competition's inception, saying: "We have just heard Van Dijk speaking there and a lot of arrogance is coming out of him, dissing United like that.
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"He needs a reminder himself, he is playing for a club who has won one title in 30-odd years. He is saying only one team wanted to win, Man United are buzzing with the point... Man United are in a difficult place like Liverpool have been in a difficult place for many a year so maybe that bit of arrogance backfired on him today.
"That's arrogance, that's arrogance. He said Man United are buzzing, only one team came to play. I have came here many a time when Liverpool were in a tough place and they were happy with a draw. But I think saying all that, Man United had one or two chances and their backs were against it.
"Sometimes players need a reminder when they are playing for clubs like Liverpool... Man United were in a good place for a lot of years and they wouldn't be disrespecting clubs like he is."
Van Dijk has now responded to Keane's rant, expressing his admiration for the ex-Red Devils skipper but firmly denying any cockiness in his post-game interview, saying: "I like Roy Keane, if he said that then it's fine," as quoted by The Independent.
"He is Manchester United throughout and I understand he could react like that but I felt what I said and there is absolutely no arrogance in that. Everyone who watched the game probably felt the same. We move on. We had the opportunity and we couldn't score and that's the frustrating part."
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While Klopp saw a "lot of positives" in his side's display, the Liverpool boss also admitted that his side were guilty of rushing their attacking sequences, an assessment which Van Dijk agreed with.
"Maybe [we were] trying to force it a little bit at times and we could have made a better decision but it was hard to break the low block down," the 32-year-old added.
"You push, you push, you push and try to do everything in your power but it was one of those days we couldn't find the right decision to score a goal. At times - I won't say every time - we forced it too much to find a solution which wasn't there but that's football."
Just before kickoff at Anfield, Liverpool were leapfrogged in the Premier League rankings by Arsenal, who hold a one-point lead over Klopp's side ahead of Saturday's highly-anticipated top-of-the-table clash.
Before welcoming the Gunners to Merseyside, the Reds will take on West Ham United for a place in the EFL Cup semi-finals on Wednesday evening.
Ben Knapton
