Last weekend marked the end of Virgil van Dijk’s 70-match unbeaten Premier League streak at Anfield. Crysencio Summerville put an end to that series in Liverpool’s 71st home match of the competition. The Dutch national team’s captain, in the opinion of detractors, did not appear particularly strong with that goal.
“Van Dijk is to blame for the final goal,” club legend Steve Nicol told the Liverpool Echo. The defender, in his opinion, might have done more to stop his countryman’s late goal. The Leeds forward profited. Van Dijk’s attitude was met by Nicol’s remark, “Look, he doesn’t move his feet at all.”
The critical Scot explained, “Summerville has it figured out. He thought Van Dijk’s response was uninterested. Summerville moves both with and without the ball, toeing it rapidly. Van Dijk doesn’t move his feet or his entire body at all during that time, which, from what I can tell, is when you need to respond rapidly. He does nothing except observe.”
He continues, “It represents Liverpool’s unpredictable behaviour this year, according to Nicol. Van Dijk places his side tenth in the rankings as a result of the unpredictability. Not less than 15 points lagging behind league leaders Arsenal. A few years ago, not only Van Dijk but the entire back line had forced Leeds into their own half for 90 minutes. Liverpool continued to defend as a team two years ago. They protect nothing at all these days.”
Nicol shared his worries, saying, “I heard coach Jurgen Klopp say that it will be different after the World Cup.” He doesn’t anticipate any improvement anytime soon. “I’m curious as to just what will change. There don’t seem to be many changes coming. But let me be clear: a lot has to change,” Nicol concluded.
Virgil van Dijk and Liverpool will face Napoli and Southampton at Anfield, before club football breaks for the World Cup.
