SPLUTTERING CHAMPS ARE KOPPING FLAK

Skipper frustrated as Anfield draws provokes boo boys

- BY IAN DOYLE

VIRGIL VAN DIJK was not messing about.

The remaining stragglers were still trudging away from Anfield when, barely 10 minutes after the final whistle on another afternoon of frustration that prompted a smattering of boos from the home support, the Liverpool captain was showered, dressed and ready to field questions from the gathered media.

And that immediate reaction from the fanbase to a disappointing draw against struggling Burnley was foremost in his mind.

"I don't like boos from my own fans," said Van Dijk when asked if the jeering had hurt.

But are Liverpool now testing the patience of the Anfield crowd after a third home draw in five?

"What can I say?" said the Reds skipper. "We have to keep going."

Having been held to similar stalemates by Sunderland and Leeds in the previous six weeks, it is the first time since 1980/81 that Liverpool have failed to beat any of the three promoted teams at home. The Reds went on to win the European Cup that season, although a repeat was far from the minds of all involved this time.