Virgil van Dijk brutally mocked over Bournemouth claim as Liverpool contract theory raised

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk didn't have a great night in the Reds' defeat to Bournemouth, and his comments after the game have come in for some brutal criticism

Virgil van Dijk blamed the weather for his mistake against Bournemouth(Image: Getty Images)

Virgil van Dijk has been mercilessly mocked by Gabby Agbonlahor after complaining about the wind during Liverpool’s defeat to Bournemouth at the weekend.

The Reds fell to another defeat in what has already been a poor season, having conceded in stoppage time at the Vitality Stadium to lose 3-2, having clawed their way back level after falling 2-0 behind in the first half.

Van Dijk certainly didn’t cover himself in glory during the game. The Liverpool captain was at fault for the hosts’ opener, having failed to clear a long ball into his side’s penalty area, and he was heavily involved in Bournemouth’s other two goals, having tripped over one of his own teammates for the eventual winner.

The 34-year-old, though, blamed the weather for his initial mistake as he reeled off a list of excuses following the defeat.

"The first goal was a difficult one to judge," Van Dijk said. "The wind was very tricky, so it was difficult."

It’s an excuse that invokes memories of Jurgen Klopp blaming the weather at times during his spell in charge, and — like his former manager — Van Dijk has come in for some criticism.

“Virgil van Dijk looks off it, very lazy for the first goal,” former Aston Villa striker Agbonlahor said on talkSPORT.

Gabby Agbonlahor took aim at Virgil van Dijk after the Liverpool captain's excuses for Liverpool's defeat to Bournemouth(Image: talkSPORT)

“After the game, he was complaining about the wind. That is a wild statement. Maybe Bournemouth should get a roof over the stadium!

“He has been better in recent weeks than he was at the start of the season. But he is not the same player as he was.”

Mohamed Salah was also in the firing line from Agbonlahor. The Egyptian made his first league start since November on Saturday, but failed to impress as his and Van Dijk’s contract extensions last year came in for questioning.

“Mo Salah looked off it,” Agbonlahor continued. “He doesn't get past anyone and he is lacking that yard of pace. Even when he does get a chance, he doesn't look like he is going to score.

“Liverpool may have had no choice but to give them two-year deals last summer but I don't see that happening again. I bet Liverpool wishes they only had them on one-year deals because they wouldn't be giving them a new contract again this summer, the way they have both played.”

Van Dijk and Salah weren’t the only Liverpool players to come under fire from Agbonlahor, though, with Dominik Szoboszlai — who scored once again from a free-kick — one of the few to escape criticism.

“Szoboszlai has been fantastic, leading the team. But other players have to do more.

“[Cody] Gakpo, [Florian] Wirtz, [Ryan] Gravenberch. [Alexis] Mac Allister is one who hasn't been spoken about enough this season. He needs to do more.”