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'Basically doing nothing': Van der Vaart slams Virgil van Dijk after Nations League defeat

NOS (via AnfieldIndex)

"For 20 minutes I thought he is back, but that moment with the goal of 

 in his current form, let's not forget that."

 on Sunday in a game for the bronze medals of the 2023 edition of the 

failed to defend for Chiesa's winning goal in the 72nd minute

, was critical of himself after the game, saying that the result made him feel 'ashamed'.

'So overrated!': Van Dijk slammed again as Netherlands lose another game

 in the Nations League third-place play-off.

 played the entirety of the game and many fans are unhappy with the 

 goal — he failed to commit as the Italian scored — has been criticised.

The FTBL Index: "Chiesa absolutely smoked Van Dijk in that one-on-one showdown! Van Dijk's lost a step in his speed game, and it showed."

Ahead of the Curve: "The most overrated defender of all time, Virgil Van Dijk."

Sm: "Van Dijk just let Chiesa have all the space in the world to take the shot. Didn't even bother trying to block the shot."

Noodle Vini: "I have never in my life heard anyone say: 'What a tackle from Virgil Van Dijk'."

LLS: "Does Van Dijk realise he’s allowed to slide tackle?"

Chuck Bass: "Van Dijk is hilarious look at the space he gives Chiesa. Aura defending doesn’t work in 2023 anymore big bro"

Akay: "Van Dijk is so overrated!. Like what does he even do apart from giving attackers space rather than going at them."

 earlier this week for his performance in the Netherlands' defeat to Croatia in the semi-final.

'Dutch Maguire': Van Dijk under fire after Netherlands lose in Nations League semis

The Liverpool centre-back came under intense criticism from fans on social media, in particular for his defending against Croatia's second and third goals.

: "Still will never forgive those guys that called Van Dijk the best Defender ever. Don’t you feel stupid yet?"

: "I don't know what makes Virgil van Dijk so irreplaceable in this team."

: "Liverpool fans shamelessly said Van Dijk was the best defender to ever play in the EPL. smh."

: "If Liverpool go into next season with Van Dijk they'll struggle to get top 4."

: "Virgil Van Dijk is being cooked tonight. He can't see anything."

: "Van Dijk is the true definition of one season wonder. One of the worst defenders to play football."

: "Van Dijk looking like Dutch MaGuire without Konate next to him."

: "Liverpool fans are trying so hard not to slander Van Dijk If you truly watch football with your eyes, you’ll see he’s finished at the top level and I’ve been saying this for months man"

: "Van Dijk didn't stay in the limelight for more than 2 seasons. I can't believe there was a time we compared this guy with the likes of Puyol, Pique, Vidic, Terry and Ferdinand."

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Twice mate I've watched him all season. Remember Utd and standing there hands behind back like a statue. Madrid slow and not getting in a tackle. Fulham Brentford ....could look at each game and say boy how your performance has changed gor worse  post ACL

King Kenny

yeah twice in the past two weeks and nothing has changed in his game i was hoping we'd be fresh starting after the season ended but it all seems to be starting exactly we're he left of..

Fuck Var

I agree with you that VVD after his ACL knee operation is not the same Virgil as before.  This situation is understandable, the player becomes fearful of repeating the pains he suffered during the long time injury.  The coach should know how to deal with it; sometimes the player needs a break, he needs to be given half of the play time he is given, he needs to see his replacement is challenging him all the time to let him get out all his goodies.

We all noticing that VVD in the aerial challenges is unbeatable because it had nothing to do with his knee, but when it comes to working his legs he’s becoming less bold and clueless.

Essam El Gizawy

Howsit the way I look at it after the injury he lost his confidence and he holding himself back also maybe age is taking a toll on him. what you are saying he needs a break yes but right now his mind set is not right let hope after the small break he has he comes back the vvd we know and love 💪✌

Tyran

He is basically tired..he needs time off from football..he needs to rest n rest yo refresh however  nowadays footballers hv more football than rest..
so Klopp has to plan for him

KIFF RED

Definitely he hasn’t had a break with his national side or Liverpool since his injury he needs rest to recharge his batteries

Karlos

they do say you nees a whole year to recover and my brother in law is retired player he also agreed, he said , if vvd is beloe this tome then fair enough, let him have his pre season and watch da big man go.

Brett Harbridge

VVD has been given too much preference in the national team and club,it's about time he's put in his place(3rd pecking order), LFC should act now by getting another defender,and rightly so,to avoid future shame n embarrassment for club n county

David Daniel

I think it's time for VVD to give up the National team and concentrate on LFC it's getting really difficult to defend him right now I've watched him twice and both times I'm wincing at his defending! love the man but he needs a break something to hopefully get his Mojo back!!

Forget about this Uefa Nation just waste of time part of money making process for Uefa! Killing international players after they had long tiring season with their clubs!

Kaiser Maaz Mohd Maznee

real talk thx mate have a nice week YNWA 97

Jesse Allen

Mate i get what your saying, and i would hope that any criticism of vvd from a Liverpool fan comes with some compassion as he deserves all our respect! however the truth is he's most definitely not the same player he was when he first joined! that injury really has done a number on him. and unfortunately the concerns he's receiving now from Liverpool fans are and should be purely based on Liverpool fc moving forward we can't rely on him anymore, that might change and i pray it does for his and our sake but if he continues to carry on the way he's going with no rest and no backup we really could be in trouble? hopefully the midfield will be a lot better and  Protect our back four a lot more but will have to wait and see,

Ron aka Doc.

I thought in the 2nd half of season 2021/22 he was getting back to some really good form. Hasn't been at his imperious best since that injury, but he looked like he was improving the previous season; then he really struggled in 2022/23. Not sure why, thought he might have gotten even closer to his pre-injury form as the year went on, but sadly not. Part of that also has to be the pressure the defence was under given our midfield problems.

Montana83

Yeah I'm hoping that the midfield protects the defence better than last season as when our midfield was on fire the defence didn't have half the pressure they did last season? 🤞

After being out for the 21-22 season injured due Pickford doing a number on him he then played most LFC matches together with World Cup and Nations Cup ect. Too many games too soon. Re Midfield fully agree. Barrella wud b gud n Trent wud be worth a try .

Rochdale Scouse

Yeah I'm convinced our defence was woefully exposed last season which ment they had to work twice as hard 🤞 crossed we sort out our midfield we can solve two problems ..

we started already, bro. 11 games unbeaten ain't to shabby

Amazing how so many LFC so called fans turn on our players. This time it's VVD who prior to Pickford taking him out he was the best centre back in the world. Not only at Pool but Celtic and Southhampton! which was defo more than 1fucking season.  Show some compassion for the guy. Its his first season back following a severe injury.

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'Basically doing nothing': Van der Vaart slams Virgil van Dijk after Nations League defeat

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