Speaking to ESPN FC, former Chelsea and Scotland midfielder Craig Burley said: "Last year, Virgil van Dijk was smarting a little at the criticism that came his way and he got a bit techy in some of the interviews.
"He has had a lot of praise. And rightly so, yes. But It's not just in England where they have been looking at him and saying 'Are you leading this team like you were?' But in Holland also, he has had a lot of ex-players [questioning him].
"They were very vocal about his leadership skills for his country. Not suggesting that everything that happens at Liverpool or Holland is his fault. But he the talisman he has become, he is starting to be questioned for club and country.
Van Dijk remains a key player and leader for both Liverpool and the Netherlands national team despite finding it increasingly hard to maintain his elite level.
Fingers are being pointed at the 32-year-old's ACL injury with many fans and pundits speculating that the centre-back is no longer the player he once was.
