Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk was the first to show Trent Alexander-Arnold disapproval of his performance against Manchester United. The spotlight has trailed on the full-back as a result of recent goings on, both in the match and off-field.

Intense scrutiny has arrived at the doorstep of Alexander-Arnold over the past 24 hours. It is not only for a lacking defensive performance against Liverpool's biggest rivals resulting in two goals conceded, but for the grander picture that has helped paint.

Days before he was subject of a transfer approach from Real Madrid and then a reported £300k per week contract offer from Anfield chiefs, so the question is whether his head was truly in the game.

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One passage of play highlighted by Reddit user DifferentBid2 stood above the rest on Sunday evening. It was the 79th minute, and an enraged Van Dijk was shouting and gesticulating towards the No.66, who had failed to hold up his end of the bargain defending as part of Liverpool's back four in the build-up to Amad Diallo's equaliser.

No less than two minutes later and Man United were in behind on the right flank again. Left central defender Van Dijk rushed back to cover and block Alejandro Garnacho's advance into the penalty area, leaving the Dutchman to give Alexander-Arnold a cold stare and a nod of the head in disapproval.

The 26-year-old's horror performance was compounded by Roy Keane suggesting he was sooner destined for Tranmere Rovers rather than the reigning champions of Europe, whilst Jamie Carragher insinuated Madrid's approach was prompted by the player's representatives in a bid to cover backs when the time comes to leave for free.

Van Dijk, however, cannot give his team-mate any death stares regarding that matter as he too is yet to find an agreement to stay with the club beyond the end of the current season.

Instead he defended Alexander-Arnold over the suggestion the performance was down to ongoing speculation.

"No. I am fine with it. Trent has his own people around him, his family and we are there as well," he responded. "He wants to perform in the best way possible like we all do. That is the main focus. In my opinion, maybe ask him, that is the distraction, the game."