2 days ago
41
As Liverpool's captain and on-field leader, Virgil van Dijk has never shied away from honest self-reflection. Following last month's defeat to Nottingham Forest at Anfield, the Dutchman branded the run of results and performances a 'mess', insisting on collective accountability and urging every player to take a hard look at themselves.
However, Van Dijk has largely avoided serious scrutiny, despite conceding a peculiar penalty in the subsequent loss to PSV Eindhoven. For the most part, his central defensive partner Ibrahima Konate and expensive left-back signing Milos Kerkez have borne the brunt of the criticism.
That has now dramatically shifted, with one television pundit branding Van Dijk a "coward". In a scathing assessment, former Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley has declared Van Dijk "has been as bad as anybody else" throughout Liverpool's challenging period.
Speaking on ESPN, Burley said: "I'm fed up sitting here and (listening to people saying) 'it's Mo Salah not playing well, Florian Wirtz can't find his feet, Alexander Isak, Ekitike, the midfield's dynamic has changed'. He (Van Dijk) is the barometer of what is wrong this year.
"He is supposed to be the leader. All he has done all season is throw Kerkez under the bus, (and) throw his arms up in the air. He is making as many mistakes as any other player. Every game, you could watch him and go ... 'what's he doing?'"
Van Dijk surrendered possession in the build-up to Sunderland's goal at Anfield on Wednesday, with Chemsdine Talbi's effort taking a crucial deflection off the Liverpool captain.
Burley delivered a damning assessment of Van Dijk's performance, stating: "He does everything wrong. Pass, doesn't close it down and turns his back like a coward."
Kerkez was among the substitutes for the Sunderland fixture, alongside Mo Salah, who has also faced scrutiny this season. Burley believes it is 'crazy' that Van Dijk has escaped similar levels of criticism.
Burley, who also represented Celtic and Derby County and earned 46 Scotland caps, continued: "It's just absolutely crazy. He (Van Dijk) seems to be coming out of it relatively unscathed, and it is everybody else's fault.
"But for me, at the back, he has been as bad as anybody else. And I think that goal and the way that he refused to close it down and the fact that he turned his back is the epitome of his performances this season."
Liverpool's stalemate with Sunderland leaves them trailing Premier League leaders Arsenal by 11 points. Their title defence appears virtually over before the campaign has even reached its midpoint.
Arne Slot's squad have suffered six Premier League defeats and travel to Elland Road for a Saturday evening clash with Leeds United. Daniel Farke's team will certainly be full of confidence following their shock midweek victory over Chelsea.
English (US) ·