Topic: Virgil Van Dijk (Cpt)

[lgvkarlos]

Him, Fab, Trent and Salah are just sleepwalking through games now.

[Simplexity]

Him, Fab, Trent and Salah are just sleepwalking through games now.

I frankly just expect him to be poor nowadays. When was the last genuinely good game he had? Certainly not been this season.

[Studgotelli]

His drop off has been more alarming to me than anyone else.

We’re back to 17/18 levels…

[lgvkarlos]

I frankly just expect him to be poor nowadays. When was the last genuinely good game he had? Certainly not been this season.

Just doesn't see and snuff out the danger anymore, Matip not great today but him and Konate would be my pick.

[Saus76]

Him, Fab, Trent and Salah are just sleepwalking through games now.

True.

[Xanderzone]

Another player who's legs are gone.

He's finished.

[newterp]

Since we have no money - would we sell him to generate funds for purchases? Let him fully decline elsewhere?

Or is this a wait for the World Cup to be over and then he will be back?

With CBs it's weird as he could be still very good at 33-34. But right now he's really really bad.

[didi shamone]

Another player who's legs are gone.

He's finished.

Wank

[y2w902]

Can we change this thread title.

[Saus76]

Concerning form from the big man. To say he's finhed though is ludicrous.

[HeartAndSoul]

Can we change this thread title.

It’s not as bad as Salahs one….

[Funky_Gibbons]

Our defence and VVD in particular have been so well oiled under Klopp, it’s just bizarre to see what’s happening this season. Where was he going for that first goal. He used to be so good at holding the line.

[didi shamone]

He was immense in the 2nd half of last season. His legs didn't go over the summer. He's been poor this season by his standards but by no means responsible for today.

[jillcwhomever]

I wonder if he is playing within himself because of the World Cup. It will be his last chance there considering his age. I wonder that about a few players.

[Chakan]

I wonder if he is playing within himself because of the World Cup. It will be his last chance there considering his age. I wonder that about a few players.

I said that last game and someone call it "the worst take ever" so...

[jillcwhomever]

I said that last game and someone call it "the worst take ever" so...

I remember someone in Holland asking the same question, it feels like it's happening too when he's playing for Holland as well. People have noticed he is not playing the way he can and has up to now.

[didi shamone]

I said that last game and someone call it "the worst take ever" so...

Impossible to prove but not the worst take ever. It must be a huge ambition for him and maybe he's lost some focus.
Still as I said earlier, he wasn't the reason we lost today.

[please, I have my reasons for it but...]

Is defending by showing your bum a new way of defending or what. Has been doing it for weeks and it's so easy to just pass him when he's playing like that. Also lost a yard of pace but he's not the only one to do so.

[Sudden Death Draft Loser]

I wonder if he is playing within himself because of the World Cup. It will be his last chance there considering his age. I wonder that about a few players.

IF that was proven to be the case (no idea how you would) then he should be benched immediately and probably sold ASAP.

[jooneyisdagod]

I don't know if people noticed but teams are cutting through our midfield and that's leaving the defence exposed. Virgil is the best CB in the world but with the midfield the way it is, he's a sitting duck along with whoever plays alongside him as the CB. The entire side needs recalibration but CB and GK are the two positions where I think we're okay for the moment.

[newterp]

I wonder if he is playing within himself because of the World Cup. It will be his last chance there considering his age. I wonder that about a few players.

I said that last game and someone call it "the worst take ever" so...

That's why I said let's see what happens post World Cup.

On its face, it seems like an outrageous take that a professional superstar would not give 100% for fear of injury before the World Cup. but clearly something is completely wrong here.

[didi shamone]

I don't know if people noticed but teams are cutting through our midfield and that's leaving the defence exposed. Virgil is the best CB in the world but with the midfield the way it is, he's a sitting duck along with whoever plays alongside him as the CB. The entire side needs recalibration but CB and GK are the two positions where I think we're okay for the moment.

Agreed, although our midfield was on top first half today until they fell in a hole and looked like they were running in treacle.

[slaphead]

When we're losing games it really frustrates me seeing our key players losing form/focus/hunger or whatever this is. Van Dijk, Salah Fabinho, Trent, its affecting them all. He's my favourite player and its so disheartening to see. I want to see a Van Dijk on the pitch bullying centre forwards and making them not even try to take him on but more than that I want to see him angry and he doesn't seem to be at the minute. Things are getting really bad for us now and the big players are just not doing it

[JackWard33]

I dunno about all the criticism - would any of the people slating him like to detail what he should be doing differently?
Its very hard for centre backs when the midfield is constantly over run in front of them - there isn't a centre back in the world that looks good when they're facing multiple runners with no cover

[El Lobo]

I remember someone in Holland asking the same question, it feels like it's happening too when he's playing for Holland as well. People have noticed he is not playing the way he can and has up to now.

It makes zero sense. He’s not doing anything differently, he’s never been one to launch into tackles or anything, it’s not like he’s jogging around. And his national team coach is exactly the man who will drop players who he thinks aren’t playing well enough. Someone suggested the same for Fab, who struggles to get in the national team at the best of times. So is holding back to impress someone who doesn’t fancy him anyway…? Trent and Robbo have had a similar drop this season, are we thinking Trent’s holding back because he’s comfortable in Gareth Southgates team?

It’s just an easy excuse

[killer-heels]

He looks all at sea but it’s largely to do with the fact that he has runners all around him. Brighton did a load of that.

[newterp]

I dunno about all the criticism - would any of the people slating him like to detail what he should be doing differently?
Its very hard for centre backs when the midfield is constantly over run in front of them - there isn't a centre back in the world that looks good when they're facing multiple runners with no cover

Probably on between this and some regression.

[robertobaggio37]

Bit weird his partner in crime has escaped any kind of criticism. I agree, VVD hasn't been at his best, far from it, but I'm more worried about Matip, he seems to lack any positional awareness.

[tubby]

Wish he'd stop those long cross-field switches to Salah.  They cost us possession time after time.

[jillcwhomever]

Bit weird his partner in crime has escaped any kind of criticism. I agree, VVD hasn't been at his best, far from it, but I'm more worried about Matip, he seems to lack any positional awareness.

I don't think anyone in the defence was brilliant today to be fair, even Ali was making misjudgements at times. But there is a lot of upheaval in the side at the moment. We need to find a way to sort that and hope the players can adjust.

[wampa1]

I fear his Anfield record is in serious jepordy.

[James...]

His peak back 18/19 was the highest peak I ever saw from a CB. This player is just unrecognisable to that. Looks flustered so often. Doesn't dominate players physically like he used to. Doesn't win everything so cleanly any more. He was still excellent last season though so I'm not that concerned by it just yet. I don't think he has ever got back to his 18/19 level to be honest but if he can find his 19/20 or 21/22 level again he's still the best around.

He needs to start taking responsibility again though. That mix up with Alisson was shocking. He watched a ball get punted 75 yards from the keeper and had his hands up asking Alisson to come get it when it was nowhere near the box ffs. Just deal with it lad.

The bit where Jesus almost caught him out when shielding ball too... he then starts laughing and hugging Jesus. Show some aggression and anger lad. Our season is falling apart. Stop laughing and joking about almost just getting caught for another goal.

[Schmidt]

Bit weird his partner in crime has escaped any kind of criticism. I agree, VVD hasn't been at his best, far from it, but I'm more worried about Matip, he seems to lack any positional awareness.

I've noticed Matip really struggling with a few things, like sorting his feet out to clear a cross properly and getting his body between attackers and the ball. It's strange because he's been so dependable but suddenly this season looks like he can't quite find his feet.

It might just be the case with our entire back line that they're second guessing themselves a lot due to the sheer amount of options the opposition have. When there are 2-3 players all free and moving around the defence and you've got no cover from midfield it's a lot harder to be decisive and commit.

[Simplexity]

I fear his Anfield record is in serious jepordy.

Probably gone next weekend if we are being honest.

[Xanderzone]

He'll come good again, I have no doubts about that.

His interviews after every game are starting to get tiresome though.

[Funky_Gibbons]

He'll come good again, I have no doubts about that.

His interviews after every game are starting to get tiresome though.

Don't watch them then.

[So… Howard Philips]

He'll come good again, I have no doubts about that.

His interviews after every game are starting to get tiresome though.

Hang on. You said a few posts ago his legs have gone.

How can he come again if his legs have gone?

[Xanderzone]

Hang on. You said a few posts ago his legs have gone.

How can he come again if his legs have gone?

I don't think he'll ever get back to his 2019 level, no. But there's no way he'll continue to play this badly either. Middle ground.

[hide5seek]

Unfortunately, the 3 players if on top form would allow us to paper over the aging cracks in the team are Mo, Virgil and Fabinho. If they were top of their game we'd look and be a lot better, they aren't.
Let's hope they're back to their best soon or its going to be a long season.

[scouse neapolitan]

Still reckon that Virgil is only a couple of blinders away from getting his form back. Psychology, and  confidence along with tiredness are the key to everything.