Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk has claimed that Real Madrid players "ganged up" on Trent Alexander-Arnold in the UEFA Champions League final.

The Reds were disappointed losers in the final in May, when they went down 3-1 after two mistakes from goalkeeper Loris Karius.

And Van Dijk has admitted that once Mohamed Salah came off with an injury, it gave Real license to target young right back Alexander-Arnold.

"Mentally, something changed for Real Madrid once Salah left the pitch," Van Dijk told De Telegraaf.

"Suddenly Marcelo, Benzema and Ronaldo all ganged up against our young right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold and left the whole right flank free.

"With Salah, they would not have dared."