2 weeks ago
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Virgil van Dijk has been providing support to Alexander Isak, as the striker settles into his new surroundings at Liverpool.
The forward completed his switch from Newcastle to the Reds on transfer deadline day. The Sweden international was joined by the likes of Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Giovanni Leoni, Armin Pesci, and Freddie Woodman in arriving at Anfield during the summer, as Arne Slot supervised an almost total reconstruction of the attacking unit that secured the title last season.
Nevertheless, Isak has yet to find the net in the Premier League or Champions League, with his sole strike for the Reds arriving against Southampton in the Carabao Cup. The striker's displays have also been questioned, as he adapts to his role as a Liverpool player.
However, according to The Athletic, Reds skipper Van Dijk has been especially encouraging in terms of providing guidance to the club's record signing.
The disclosure emerges after the Dutchman was criticized for targeting another colleague in Milos Kerkez following Liverpool's loss to Manchester United on Sunday.
One incident that encapsulated Liverpool's game against Ruben Amorim's team occurred in the second half when an attempted clearance from Van Dijk struck the face of Kerkez and sailed over the crossbar.
The center-back then seemed to berate his colleague, something that left former Premier League midfielder Craig Burley incensed.
"Virgil van Dijk, to me, is not leading at the moment - he's blaming," he told ESPN FC. "Kerkez is having a bad time, there's no doubt about it.
"He's getting swallowed up by the pressure of going in with these big players in this huge football club with these big expectations, but I don't think it helps when your captain's looking at him every two minutes and blaming him, or digging him out.
"Even at the end, the clearance that comes off Kerkez's face. What's he supposed to do? He's tucking in behind Van Dijk. Van Dijk's turning around and he's gesturing to him. The crowd see it and I just don't think that helps the situation."
Speaking earlier this month, Dutch legend Marco van Basten also suggested Van Dijk lacks leadership qualities.
He remarked: "I think Van Dijk should be the leader. He should set a good example and be the driving force.
"I miss that in him. I find his mentality easy. He's a fantastic player, and perhaps the best defender we have in the world. He can head the ball, he is quick, tall, and he has a good overview.
"He's just not the leader who drives the team forward. That would be very beneficial for the team. I hope Arne Slot can teach him that."
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