Virgil van Dijk thinks Manchester United were "disrespected" ahead of their 2-2 draw with Liverpool.

The spoils were shared at Anfield, where Amad Diallo's late equaliser denied the Reds all three points.

Arne Slot's side were expected to achieve victory without too many difficulties against the Red Devils, who arrived in the contest on a run of three successive defeats.

However, Ruben Amorim's men initially took the lead through Lisandro Martinez, before holding their nerve to snatch a point later on.

And Liverpool skipper Van Dijk felt his opponents were underestimated during the build-up to the showdown.

"Do I feel United were disrespected? Yes," he said. "I heard, in the press conference, someone asked if we were going to rotate players against United.

"I was shocked. It is one of the biggest games of the season and United will always make it tough. To hear that, I was surprised.

"We are playing against a good opponent. I think everyone from the outside world forgets that, judging by the sound that had been going around before the game. They have good players. They are obviously a work in progress like we are, but they made it difficult for us."

Van Dijk also jumped to the defence of team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was subjected to widespread criticism following a below-par performance at Anfield.

The England full-back, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid, but his captain does not think his display was affected by the ongoing speculation.

"No. I am fine with [his performance]," Van Dijk said. "Trent has his own people around him, his family, and we are there as well.

"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."