Alisson and Virgil van Dijk gift Arsenal crucial lead at the Emirates with ‘terrible’ blunder… as fans SLAM the pair’s mistake in vital title race clash

Fans have reacted on social media after a calamitous error from Alisson and Virgil van Dijk in Arsenal’s victory over Liverpool on Sunday.

In a game with major title implications for both teams, Mikel Arteta‘s side seized the initiative and struck first with Bukayo Saka firing the Gunners into the lead after just 14 minutes.

Liverpool got back on level pegging on the brink of half-time, with Gabriel turning the ball into his own net with just seconds remaining in the half.

Both sides looked to control of proceedings following the interval, but it was Arsenal who would ultimately go back in front following a moment of madness in the Reds defence.

As a lofted through ball sailed towards the visitors’ penalty box a miscommunication between Van Dijk and his goalkeeper left the pair in no man’s land with Gabriel Martinelli on hand to compound their misery and restore Arsenal’s lead.

Gabriel Martinelli seized on the opportunity and duly fired the ball in the empty net

The error proved a costly one as the Gunners pressed on to defeat Liverpool 3-1 at the Emirates

Liverpool fans reacted furiously on social media in the aftermath, questioning how, between them, the pair had failed to clear the ball to safety.

One wrote: ‘Both of them could’ve sorted that out. Virgil could’ve cleared it and terrible missing it completely by Alisson. Awful game and performance. Bad day.’

Another agreed: ‘Van Dijk outmuscled by a smaller opponent while Alisson stupidly comes flying out trying to do a Booker T scissors kick. Pathetic.’

A further chimed in: ‘That’s disgraceful from Van Dijk and Alisson. Liverpool have a MOUNTAIN to climb.’ 

Meanwhile other fans claimed that the blame laid more squarely at the Brazilian’s feet, as the goalkeeper’s failure to make contact with the ball made conceding inevitable.

One insisted: ‘Blamin Van Dijk for this is funny, that’s 101% all Alisson. Horror mistake.’

Another wrote: ‘They’ll blame Van dijk but what is Alisson doing.’ 

Liverpool fans vented their frustrations on social media following the costly mistake

Liverpool’s evening went from bad to worse later as Ibrahima Konate was shown a second yellow card in the closing stages.

Substitute Leandro Trossard then put the result beyond all doubt in injury time, driving his stoppage-time strike between Alisson’s legs to add insult to injury to the hapless goalkeeper.

Arsenal are now just two points behind their title rivals in the Premier League table, with Man City five points behind Jurgen Klopp’s side with two games in hand.