Liverpool started off the 2025/26 campaign with five straight wins in the Premier League but since then they have suffered two straight defeats against Crystal Palace and Chelsea.
In between, they also lost to Galatasaray in their Champions League away trip, which has increased Arne Slot’s dilemma and right after the international break, they desperate need a few wins to ease the pressure.
Amidst the international break, Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk was criticized on social media mainly due to his wrong posture in defense during Chelsea’s first goal scored by Moises Caicedo.
There have been a lot of talks about the Dutchman being way past his prime urging Liverpool to invest more money in defense.
Recently, Netherlands legend Marco van Basten has also joined the netizens as he was also critical of the veteran Liverpool defender.
Van Dijk guided Netherlands to a couple of dominant wins over Malta and Finland in the World Cup qualifiers but yet his abilities were questioned.
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“The defense is good and I don’t know the goalkeeper very well. I think Van Dijk should be the leader. He must lead by example and be the driving force. I miss that with him. I find him easy in his mentality,” Van Basten told during Ziggo Sport’s show ‘Rondo‘ when asked about Netherlands’ chances in the 2026 World Cup.
What did Van Basten further say about Liverpool’s Van Dijk?
The Dutch legend has questioned Van Dijk multiple times especially over his leadership skills as he finds him extremely inefficient.
However, he rates him highly as a defender with multiple skills but as per his opinion, Van Dijk lacks the mentality needed to become a leader for Netherlands.
“He [Van Dijk] is a great player, perhaps the best defender we have in the world. He can head, is fast, big and has a good overview. He is just not the leader who pushes the team forward. That would do the team very well. I hope that Arne Slot can make him wiser in that.”
“I think we have a pretty good team. They are used to each other by now. If you take the starting line-up with Cody Gakpo, Memphis Depay and Donyell Malen, that’s a forward line that can create danger against any defense. The midfield is good, but a controller is still a type who could do that.”
However, Van Dijk continues to be key for Liverpool and Netherlands and with the international break getting over, he will focus on the upcoming game against Manchester United on October 19 at Anfield.
In these times of pressure and negatives results, the 34-year-old’s role in the dressing room and also on the pitch becomes extremely vital.
Also, with Ibrahima Konate becoming a major doubt against United, the onus will be on Van Dijk to maintain cohesion in Liverpool’s backline.
