Shaka Hislop thinks the criticism aimed at Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk over the course of the international break is ‘an attack on a very talented player’.
The former goalkeeper was making reference to Dutch legends Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit and their scathing, no-holds-barred and blunt assessment of Virgil van Dijk.
The Netherlands were taken apart by France in their opening Euro 2024 qualifier last week and van Basten loaded his guns and made sure to fire them straight at the captain.
The legendary striker stated that van Dijk ‘makes noises’ but he ‘doesn’t say anything’ as he questioned the 31-year-old’s quality and leadership skills.
Once upon a time, many felt that the ice-cool centre-back was the best in the business, but these last 12 months tell a different story.
Following those comments, including ones from Ruud Gullit which were touched upon by Shaka Hislop below, he came to the aid of the Liverpool man, as he told ESPN.
“So many times we talk about the Dutch national teams and the quality that they have,” said Hislop. “And how they always seem to self-destruct. This really leans into that.
“Even if everything van Basten and Gullit are saying about Virgil van Dijk is absolutely true, and you are trying to help the player, you are trying to help the national team, then there is a way of phrasing it. There are things you avoid.
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“Gullit saying ‘he won his (FIFA Team of the Year) award, didn’t he?!’ I mean, I have absolutely no idea what purpose that is to serve, other than, to frame this as an attack.
“It’s an attack on a very talented player, who is having a rough time. He comes into a national team, given their successes at the World Cup. They have made the new manager change formation, he can’t find the same passing lanes into midfield and has a little issue adjusting early on.”
VAN DIJK IS STRUGGLING
One thing needs to be clear and that’s the fact that van Dijk can’t be immune to criticism, regardless of what he has done in the past.
If he is doing wrong, and he isn’t performing, then he needs to take that verbal bashing on the chin.
Van Dijk’s issue is that he isn’t really answering his critics on the field of play, but he has this last stretch of Premier League games to still showcase what he is about because Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have a lot to play for.
In other news, ‘Immediate return’: Journalist claims 46-year-old manager could now be in line for Leeds job
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