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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Connor O'Neill

Virgil van Dijk disagrees with ex-Manchester United boss as blunt Liverpool formation claim made

Virgil van Dijk has explained why he prefers playing in Liverpool’s 4-3-3 formation rather than the 3-4-1-2 system that the Netherlands play under Louis van Gaal.

The Liverpool defender featured centrally in a back-three as Holland beat Denmark 4-2 at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Saturday night. The returning Christian Eriksen was on target for the Danes.

The Dutch played a 3-4-1-2 system that is favoured by Oranje and former Manchester United boss Van Gaal. Since taking charge after Euro 2020 last summer, Van Gaal's side have won six of their eight matches in an impressive unbeaten run.

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But despite the run and convincing victory over Denmark, Van Dijk believes there is still much to improve. While the Reds defender has also admitted he would rather play in a 4-3-3 like he does for his club.

“Until today we have been training hard, with lots of tactics and meetings. There are good times but also things to improve,” he told NOS.

“We will analyse this. Of course, we are playing in a new system, different things are required of the players. But I think we showed a lot of good things.

“Do I like the system? Well, I’m still in favour of 4-3-3 but I’m not the national coach and the national coach has a very strong opinion about it.”

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