Virgil van Dijk hits back at Jamie Carragher after scathing Liverpool criticism

The former Liverpool defender said the Reds cannot compete physically in the Premier League, a claim the current club skipper does not share, but he did admit the champions need to address one recurring problem

Virgil van Dijk said he does not agree with Jamie Carragher's recent criticism that Liverpool cannot compete with the physical demands of the Premier League

Virgil van Dijk has disagreed with Jamie Carragher’s claim that Liverpool is "not equipped for Premier League football."

The Reds have often struggled with the more physically demanding elements that have come to the fore in the English top flight this campaign. The Reds have found set-pieces challenging - at both ends of the field - despite the level of possession the champions have amassed, stopping simple counter-attacks has proved difficult.

Liverpool also conceded from a long throw at Bournemouth last week, while many felt the Cherries outfought Arne Slot’s side. Those issues are not isolated to last week, and the recurring fragilities have resulted in Liverpool failing to win any of its last five league matches and slipping to sixth in the table.

In contrast, the Reds have excelled on the European stage, where the dominant playing style suits more possession-oriented teams and is less physically demanding.

However, Van Dijk, speaking after the 6-0 win over Qarabag in midweek, does not agree with the assessment that Liverpool cannot compete in the Premier League.

“I don't know who said that, but I'm not going to guess because the thing for me is anyone can say whatever they want,” said the Dutchman, who registered three assists against Qarabag.

“The difficulties that we're having at the moment is that we don't have the consistency. We can't, so far, build enough on good performances that we have during this season. That's something we work on, it's something we have to improve.

Carragher was hugely critical of Liverpool earlier this week(Image: Getty Images)

“I think we are well-equipped to deal with the demands of the Premier League. If you look at the team today, we are in a situation where we have to be creative and obviously have youngsters also who want to make this step up as well and get the opportunities like today. So it's a combination of everything, and we just have to keep going.

“There's a lot of emphasis on set-pieces nowadays,” Van Dijk, an 11-year veteran of the Premier League. “That's obviously been made so big over the last year, not only in England, but also in different countries, I think. The set-piece coach is introduced all of a sudden, so there's obviously a lot more into that with things like long throws.

“This season [the impact] has been huge all of a sudden. Every year, the Premier League will adapt. I think if you compare our timeline in the Premier League to 10, 15 years ago, it's completely different as well.

“It sounds maybe a bit simple, but you have to just get on with it and try to be the best. We know we can do it, but like I said, not on a consistent basis so far and that's why we have been struggling.”

Van Dijk had an off night at Bournemouth last week(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool’s defeat at Bournemouth was heavily scrutinized, with Van Dijk clearly feeling some of the criticism went too far.

The defender was at fault for the opening goal and then played Alex Jimenez onside for the second, and admitted he feels a sense of duty as captain to help the team turn things around.

“ I think everyone deals with it differently, so I can deal with it in a certain way. A lot of players can deal with it in a certain way, as well. I think certain things about it, but I will keep that to myself for now.

“The only thing I feel is the responsibility to perform. So, when I came home, after that [Bournemouth] game, I was obviously very disappointed. I felt very responsible for the difficult night that we had.

Van Dijk said Liverpool must build on its win over Qarabag when it faces Newcastle this weekend(Image: (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images))

“But the responsibility I feel is to turn it around, and be the best version of myself again, in this game, and recover now, and then try to do the same in the weekend, because that's what everyone expects from me.

“I don't need to use that personally as fuel, to be honest,” he added. “I feel that I have a responsibility to the club, to the players, to perform, to be there, to be fit, to be at my best, and to lead the team.

“I know what comes with it if we don't perform, if I don't have a good moment or a good game, and that's just part and parcel.

“But I'm a human being, and all the other players that played in the past also have been through their phases, and came out of it pretty well in my opinion so we just keep going.”