Liverpool defender Joel Matip told to make Virgil van Dijk demand by Garth Crooks

That’s the view of Garth Crooks, who saw Matip impress as Liverpool won 2-1 at Southampton on Saturday.

Matip partnered Van Dijk in defence though Adrian’s mistake meant the duo did not keep a clean sheet.

Van Dijk has been praised for his performances since joining Liverpool from Southampton last January.

But Crooks believes the Dutch star needs to pull his socks up away from home and says Matip should be demanding that.

“Whenever Joel Matip plays for Liverpool he appears to be the one who is making all the last-ditch tackles, getting the ball smashed in his face and coming to Liverpool's aid in a crisis,” Crooks wrote for BBC Sport as he included Matip in his team of the weekend.

“Meanwhile, Virgil van Dijk looks beautifully groomed, hair swept back in a ponytail, strolling around looking like he's just returned from a week in Vegas!

“Matip must get Van Dijk to do his share of the heavy lifting when the Reds are up against it away from home.

“I know Matip is the junior partner here but, come on, fair is fair.”

Liverpool’s win over the Saints means they have a 100 per cent record after two Premier League games.

They are already two points clear of Manchester City after Pep Guardiola’s side were held to a 2-2 draw by Tottenham.

And after winning the Super Cup in midweek, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was pleased with the performance from his team on the south coast.

The German said: “We played here last year I don’t know after which game and it was difficult.

“Southampton is a good team, they defend well, they are really just difficult to play. Good counter-attacks, good organisation, all that stuff.

“Last year, we were 1-0 down and won 3-1 right? That was really difficult and this afternoon it was difficult again.

“Nothing to do with the game in midweek: I said before the game, if we would have come here with two weeks’ preparation it would be difficult.

“So I liked the game a lot, to be honest. It’s not allowed to think too much about Wednesday but of course I know it, so I was really impressed with how fresh we looked, in the start especially, just how good we were.”