Jamie Carragher believes that Liverpool's poor defensive display during Sunday's surprise 3-2 defeat at Fulham was down to Arne Slot playing two right-footed players at the heart of his backline.
Liverpool led early on at Craven Cottage courtesy of an Alexis Mac Allister thunderbolt but were 3-1 down by half-time following strikes by Ryan Sessegnon, Alex Iwobi and Rodrigo Muniz.
Luis Diaz pulled a goal back for the Reds in the second half but they still fell to only their second Premier League loss since Slot replaced Jurgen Klopp last summer.
The goal scored by Iwobi came after Liverpool surrendered possession just outside their own penalty area after being put under pressure by Fulham's high press.
Analysing the goal on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football, Liverpool legend Carragher said: 'The reason why Fulham have pushed it to Van Dijk is... and something Liverpool have always lacked... a left-footed centre back.
'Now, the reason I think Virgil van Dijk probably goes to [left back] Andy Robertson is it's the obvious pass, of course. It's not a bad pass, but maybe a left-footed centre back with the quality of Van Dijk could actually go there [and play a long-range pass from left to right and find Mo Salah in space].
'If it's on the right side, he's got that passing range in his locker. And that's why I think Fulham have pushed it this side, pushed Virgil van Dijk onto his left foot. Because they know he can't play that pass and he's going to play the shorter pass.
'He goes to Andy Robertson and he's just got to go back to the goalkeeper. He tries a crossfield pass, he gets it wrong and we know what happens. It was a nightmare scenario for him.'
Van Dijk was playing alongside Ibrahima Konate on Sunday.
Fellow right-footers Joe Gomez and Jarrell Quansah have also played at centre back under Slot this season.
Puyaikloz
1
I,
Dohaepsy
2
I feel Quansah is better than Konate in such games but the coach knows better bcz Klopp trusted this young man and he produced the goods
Tisaceiknz
2
Don't waste your time advising the club. They don't listen.
Medbekrtu
1
Salah should train harder to get back his former skills. At 32, you are still young and should play till half time or else play from half time or play after halftime to play in full strength.
AdrianShion
4
wth? not all clubs have the privilege to pair different footed CB. over the years many top team won with both right footed CB. keown, Campbell carvalho, Terry Ferdinand, vidic Dias, akanji even himself and Hyypia are both right footed. and yet they managed to win the Champions League.