KUALA LUMPUR: Dutchman Virgil Van Dijk has insisted he isn't arrogant after his comments in the aftermath of Liverpool's goalless draw against Manchester United drew criticism from legend Roy Keane.
But the defender also surprisingly admitted he is a "fan" of the Manchester United legend, despite his cutting remarks and the bitter rivalry.
Van Dijk, 32, said "there was only one team trying to win the game" as the Red Devils snatched a 0-0 draw at Anfield on Sunday.
He added: "We were superior in all aspects, they were hoping to hurt us on the counter and they are buzzing with a point."
Keane slammed the defender for the "arrogance (that) backfired on him today" and the "disrespect" on display in a blistering rant.
"Dissing United. He is playing for a club who have won one title in 30 years and he's saying only one team wanted to win, and United are buzzing with a point?" Keane said.
And now Van Dijk has responded by rejecting the Irishman's comments.
The ex-Southampton star said: "I like Roy Keane, if he said that then it's fine.
"He is Manchester United throughout and I understand he could react like that," Van Dijk told the Sun.
"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."
Van Dijk played the full 90 minutes of the stalemate as the Reds failed to win a home Premier League game for the first time this season.
His frustration stemmed from the fact that despite Liverpool were unable to find a breakthrough despite having 69 per cent of the possession and 34 shots.
Erik ten Hag's side, who went into the game with 12 defeats from 24 matches this season, were forced into making 45 clearances and finished the game with 10 men after Diogo Dalot's double yellow card for dissent.
The goalless draw saw Liverpool slip from first to second as Arsenal's win over Brighton helped the Gunners leapfrog Jurgen Klopp's men.
Van Dijk added: "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."
"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." - Agencies