New theory suggests Virgil van Dijk may ‘not get along’ with a Liverpool teammate following the defeat to Brentford.

After a disappointing 3-2 defeat to Brentford, Liverpool have now slumped to a fourth straight Premier League loss. The match was filled with controversy — from a free-kick being overturned into a penalty to another clear-cut penalty not being awarded — yet what truly grabbed fans’ attention was the apparent tension between Milos Kerkez and Virgil van Dijk, with many supporters convinced the captain has “had enough” of his defensive teammate.

Liverpool seemed to have regained their rhythm midweek with a dominant 5-1 win at Eintracht Frankfurt, but those hopes quickly faded at the Gtech Community Stadium. Under Keith Andrews’ Brentford, the Reds delivered another flat performance that only deepened concerns about their league form.

Amid numerous flashpoints in the game, cameras caught several heated exchanges between Van Dijk and Kerkez — moments that quickly spread across social media. Although Kerkez redeemed himself with a first-half goal, fans were quick to notice the Dutch defender’s frustration toward him, prompting speculation about a possible rift.

Van Dijk also found himself in the spotlight for a contentious second-half penalty incident, which effectively ended Liverpool’s chances of mounting a comeback. The Dutchman’s visible irritation toward Kerkez only added fuel to the theory that there’s growing friction between the pair.

Kerkez, who joined Liverpool after an impressive spell at Bournemouth and was seen as Andy Robertson’s long-term successor, has struggled to find consistency. His performance at Brentford — marked by an early yellow card and several questionable decisions — appeared to test Van Dijk’s patience. One fan posted on X, “Van Dijk is done with Kerkez,” while another wrote, “It’s so obvious Van Dijk doesn’t like Kerkez at all.”

Whether this tension stems from Van Dijk’s frustration with the team’s overall performances or a deeper personal disagreement remains uncertain. However, Liverpool supporters will be hoping the duo can put any differences aside to help the club rediscover its winning form.