Liverpool have never been far away from criticism this season after enduring a difficult campaign and as a result of their inconsistency, star players like Virgil van Dijk have come under the microscope.
The Reds face the prospect of missing out on the Champions League this season as they sit seven points off the top four going into the final 10 games of the campaign.
After chasing the quadruple last term, Jurgen Klopp's side have failed to follow on from their trophy pursuit that brought a domestic cup double to the Anfield trophy cabinet. Throughout the campaign, there have been chastening defeats with the recent disappointments coming against Manchester City - and Bournemouth before the international break.
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The Dutchman has been dominant throughout his Liverpool spell but has faced the harshest scrutiny of his career this season. Last time out against Chelsea, there was a rare sight for him as he had to watch from a distance after missing the clash through illness.
During the height of the success at Anfield, Van Dijk and his teammates were showered with compliments.
But with their performances this season, stinging analysis of their defensive displays has been discussed but the 31-year-old has never been one to shirk the responsibility during difficult times this season and has provided a stern response to criticism.
Here is what has been said...
Marco van Basten on Virgil van Dijk
The iconic Holland international was outspoken in his criticism during the March international break. Van Dijk was among the backline that was torn apart by World Cup runners-up France.
Van Basten hasn't been shy in his thoughts on the Liverpool defender and spotted the perfect opportunity to continue his onslaught on the centre-back.
He said: "He makes noise, but he doesn't say anything.
"He is not clear. A good captain thinks aloud, makes it clear what is going on. He stays in between. He creates chaos. That leads to misunderstandings. That is what you, as a captain, must prevent.
"In the dressing room he is good, football tactically and technically not. You need another gentleman on the field. This has nothing to do with that injury, this has to do with leadership. He makes noise, but he says nothing. That's true. This is in you. This is wanting to win at all costs."
Ruud Gullit on Virgil van Dijk
Similar to his European Championships-winning teammate, the former Chelsea manager took the opportunity during last month's international break to take aim at Van Dijk.
"It's walking backwards," Gullit said. "In England they have already criticised him. He was selected for the world team of the year. He thinks he's better than the rest.
"We see things… Then I think, "you are captain, you have to solve this". But he's just commenting a little on what's happening in front of him.
"I don't know if he's doing it, but it doesn't look like he's speaking. He plays so safe. Come on now, you're so big and good. It is a positive criticism that we give. Isn't he the best? Then show it."
Rio Ferdinand on Virgil van Dijk
The former Manchester United defender has frequently been mentioned in the same conversation as Van Dijk when discussing the best centre-backs in the Premier League.
Since arriving from Southampton, the Dutchman has been integral to the success under manager Jurgen Klopp. Following the 4-1 defeat to Manchester City at the weekend, Ferdinand took issue with the criticism that he received from some of the Dutch icons.
Speaking to BT, he argued: "I’m not sure about [criticism of] his leadership skills, he’s never really been one who’s worn the armband in this team, there’s always been people ahead of him so that’s probably not his strongest attribute if you’re looking at who wears the armband.
"How do we know that? We’re not on the pitch. Virgil van Dijk, is he someone who communicates enough, or is it loud enough, or what he says, is it right? Only Liverpool players could tell us that.
"When you look at them there when they were flying no one questioned him as a leader or a talker, I think it’s more important to look at decisions that are being made on the pitch as a footballer. It’s about decision-making, and at the highest level players make the better decisions to impact the game.
"On today’s performance he could have done a better job but at the same time you’re playing against a City team in great form today, they ask you questions and if you can’t answer immediately you get punished."
Speaking ahead of the second-leg of Liverpool's Champions League clash with Real Madrid, Ferdinand had a theory as to why the Reds defender had been struggling for form.
He said: "I think there are phases in your career where things don’t go to plan but you look at the great centre halves of years gone by, for instance John Terry, Jaap Stam, Vidic, Kompany, Sol Campbell - the list goes on - I don’t remember those having a season off or big periods of the season where you have eight or nine games where it isn’t going well.
"The form of the team plays a part in that as well, it does have an effect, and that’s one thing I would say that gives grace to Virgil van Dijk - sometimes you’re as good as the team around you. You need the team to perform to be able to perform at your best and he hasn’t had a team around him performing in a way that would suit his style of play at the moment."
Peter Crouch on Virgil van Dijk
One of the low points of Liverpool's season came at the Vitality Stadium as Philip Billing's first-half strike was the difference for Gary O'Neil's side in their 1-0 win.
It saw the Reds crash back down to earth following their emphatic 7-0 win over Manchester United six days earlier.
For Crouch, he took umbrage with the Dutchman's role in the Cherries' match-winning goal.
"It was disappointing, really disappointing. Konate tries to play offside and then when they get to this stage they seem quite comfortable, then van Dijk seems to give up, Trent Alexander-Arnold switches off and it’s too, too easy for Bournemouth."
Roy Keane and Gary Neville on Virgil van Dijk
During the early part of the season, Liverpool travelled to Old Trafford as a team to beat but little did many foresee it would spark the start of a torrid run away from Anfield this season.
Marcus Rashford scored twice as Manchester United turned the corner following a difficult run of form during the early days of Erik ten Hag's era.
Speaking after the game, both Keane and Neville spotted a telling change surrounding Van Dijk.
"I would be worried about Liverpool ... it's the first game they've lost in an absolute age," Neville said after the game.
"To be fair, this is the type of place where you could lose a game, this is the type of ground that can eat you up."
The former Republic of Ireland international added: "You can't afford that sloppy defending, particularly from your best players. Van Dijk has been really awful."
Neville responded: "What I will say about Van Dijk is that there was a time, maybe before last season before his injury, where you wouldn't even see players take him on. They would refuse and just pass the ball.
"There are now starting to have a go, thinking 'I have a chance here'."
Jamie Carragher on Virgil van Dijk
The Liverpool defender aimed a tongue-in-cheek remark about the iconic Reds centre-back during an interview with Gary Neville citing that Carragher wouldn't be good enough to make it into the current defence.
The 45-year-old bit back in criticism of their performance after they recorded their worst home defeat in Europe when Karim Benzema and Vinicius Jr scored twice in their 5-2 win over the Reds.
Carragher said: "So, this Liverpool defence now, who for years we've been told have some of the best players in the world, can't cope because for years they've had a front six in front of them who probably worked harder and smarter than any other team in world football, and now that's gone, it's completely fell apart.
"I keep - I wouldn't say making excuses, it's the wrong word - but because as a Liverpool fan, we absolute adore this manager and his team, and they've done so much for the club in the last four of five years, it hurts to say anything negative because they've give you so much.
"But Liverpool are eighth in the Premier League, they've just been battered 5-2 in the Champions League. I know it's Real Madrid but these are the two teams who were in the final last year. It's not acceptable what we're watching this season. We keep looking for reasons and excuses, but no, it's nowhere near good enough.
"What makes me laugh, and I'm not that horrible, Virgil van Dijk said I wouldn't get in that back four about two months ago. I think I'd take his place at the moment!
"Some of players there... Joe Gomez tonight - listen we've all had bad nights - and maybe I shouldn't kick someone when they're down because I'm sure he'll feel terrible right now. We keep talking about midfield players who Liverpool need and I think that's right, but I think Liverpool need defenders as well because when they get exposed they can't defend."
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