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Liverpool Echo

Sport

Paul Gorst

Virgil van Dijk critics have got it wrong with 'disrespectful' theory over his Liverpool form

Van Dijk Liverpool Virgil van Dijk Jadon Sancho James Milner EPL Jurgen Klopp Nat Phillips Crystal Palace Fulham

By Virgil van Dijk's astronomical standards, the start to his season must constitute a significant dip in form for Liverpool's defensive leader. Winless after three games, some of the goals conceded by the Reds so far has seen the blame, to varying extents, laid at the door of the No.4.

The concession of a penalty at Fulham was followed up by a failure to properly close down Wilfried Zaha in the 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace before he was reprimanded in no uncertain terms by James Milner after Liverpool conceded for the seventh successive Premier League fixture in the defeat at Manchester United on Monday.

In isolation, each incident is hardly a cause for crisis and there are many who believe the spot-kick awarded for a foul on Aleksandar Mitrovic at Craven Cottage on August 6 was a harsh one. The goal conceded against Palace could also be explained by a counter-attacking side that utilised the lack of pace of defensive partner Nat Phillips in the side's non-negotiable and much discussed high-line.

And Jadon Sancho's effort in the 2-1 loss at Old Trafford also came about when both Milner and goalkeeper Alisson Becker were sent sprawling by a smart feint from the United winger before he coolly stroked the ball home. But such is the imperious form that Liverpool's £75m record signing has displayed virtually every week since he joined in January 2018 that questions will inevitably be asked when it begins to wane.

"It's the only one thing I'd ever question Van Dijk on as a player," said Jamie Carragher on Monday Night Football after the game. "If you're going through a checklist of a centre-back, he's 10 out of 10 for most things. The one thing I do sometimes think is: does he lack a little bit of intensity at certain times?

'I know you never see him on the floor and that's a strength for a defender - if a defender's on the floor all the time, that's not a good sign. But now and again, when you're in the proverbial, you've got to throw yourself at [the ball].

"That one there (the Sancho goal) he literally stood there. It's one where you've got to go flying out and just throw yourself at [Sancho]. Slide along the floor, make yourself as big as possible. You can't just stand there! He almost made himself smaller, the way he stood. That's the one thing I sometimes think: go, be more aggressive, maybe slide in, throw yourself in front of something."

In defence of the Netherlands captain, Van Dijk's three games have seen him line up with as many different partners. After starting the season alongside long-time partner Joel Matip at Fulham, Phillips was in the back four against Palace as they duo lined up for the first time together. At Old Trafford, Joe Gomez made his maiden Premier League appearance at centre-back since November 2020 and his first next to Van Dijk since October of that same year.

So while critiques over the 31-year-old's performances have some merit, there is also legitimate mitigation for Van Dijk to shield himself with. And that is before the midfield issue and its current lack of protection is factored in.

Suggestions that have arisen in the nether regions of social media that Van Dijk is not over-extending himself due to the impending World Cup - likely to be his last as Oranje skipper - is just plain disrespectful to the Liverpool star and should not be given any real attention.

What does have more credence, however, was how Liverpool 's players have responded to their marathon campaign that saw them play 63 times in total before falling heartbreakingly short in their Premier League and Champions League dreams after the highs of winning both domestic cups.

Van Dijk, who played 51 of those 63 games after returning from missing virtually all of the previous season with a horrendous knee injury, said: "That was one of the reasons I really needed to have that break this summer, to properly switch off because it was a very tough season, mentally and physically.

"But I did everything outside of playing the games in order to be ready. Recovery-wise, the foods I ate, getting enough rest and sleep and looking after myself mentally as well because you are always under such a microscope."

But at a time when results and performances have taken a down-turn across the board, the fact that even Van Dijk is being questioned shows you how deep the frustration cuts during these techy opening weeks to the campaign.

The on-field disagreement with Milner following the opening goal at Old Trafford was striking because of its unusual nature, particularly that it came during what is the most watched football fixture on the planet. Liverpool pride themselves on being one of the most close-knit groups in the Premier League and any such disagreements are normally handled in private, away from the watching world.

"Everyone is looking at each small detail but you want to perform for the club and not just think about what other people have to say," Van Dijk added in the recent match-day programme for the Crystal Palace game. "It's just that you want to be performing for your team-mates and for your club and the supporters and doing everything that is possible to do that."

One suspects such terse talks have already been held behind the scenes this week as Jurgen Klopp attempts to snap his team from its slumber when Bournemouth visit on Saturday afternoon. For Van Dijk himself, though, he is far too good for such form - wherever you stand on how far it has actually dipped - to continue.

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