Holland legend Ruud Gullit has taken aim at Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk for his recent performances.
The central defender has been one of the catalysts for the Reds recent success after arriving from Southampton. Already in his career at Anfield, he has Champions League, Premier League and domestic cup honours to his name. However, he endured a nightmare during the 2020-21 season when he suffered a knee injury in the Merseyside derby against Everton.
He returned last season after nine months when he made his first steps toward match fitness against Hertha Berlin during pre-season. The knee injury kept the 31-year-old out of the rescheduled European Championships as he focused on returning to action for the Reds.
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This season, Liverpool have struggled through an indifferent season which has been largely disappointing with a lot of doubt thrust on the defence amid their struggles. Van Dijk has come under fire for his displays and former Dutch international Gullit has said the defensive displays have been "his responsibility".
"Since he came back after his injury, he has been defending passively," said Gullit speaking to Ziggo Sports. "He was defending and blocking a bit like a skater. He just didn’t go full on it.
"And of course, he can have a bad period but he has to be a leader. If that defence is not doing well, it is his responsibility."
Manchester City pipped Jurgen Klopp's side to the Premier League title on the final day of the season and in his first full season back, he played in all but four games in the Reds' league campaign as they chased an unprecedented quadruple. Recently, a hamstring injury kept him out of three matches after coming off in the defeat to Brentford.
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