Alan Shearer is the latest to question Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, who has come in for his fair share of criticism of late.
Ahead of Friday night’s game against Wolves, Shearer spoke about the issues the defending champions are dealing with.
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Offensively, Hugo Ekitike is the only player who offers any real quality. Mo Salah and Cody Gakpo have both struggled this year. But Shearer doesn’t see that as a major problem.
Alan Shearer comments on Virgil van Dijk and the big questions facing Liverpool
Photography: Steven Halliwell/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Van Dijk doesn’t come under attack often. He has been one of Liverpool’s most reliable players for nearly a decade and has been equally praised for his leadership and defensive skills.
But this season has not been his best, and Shearer pointed out that this is an issue that Arne Slaughter needs to address.
He told BBC Sport: “Liverpool’s defense was weak at times. When you look around the whole pitch, defending, you have to look at the midfield and how the forwards press. There’s no doubt that Virgil van Dijk isn’t as good as he used to be.”
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Perceptions can change quickly based on the results. When Liverpool are picking up points, Van Dijk rarely gets much attention. But even a player of his caliber is not immune when times get tough.
The recent game against Wolves highlighted some of the issues, particularly when Van Dijk struggled in front of Tolu Arokodare’s first goal. However, these problems appear to be more systemic than individual.
How Van Dijk’s numbers compare to last season
A closer look at Virgil van Dijk’s Premier League numbers can provide some context for Alan Shearer’s criticism. According to FotMob data, the Liverpool captain’s defensive involvement has declined, with his tackles per 90 minutes falling from 1.03 last season to 0.59, and interceptions also falling from 1.51 to 0.62.
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However, the data also indicate an increase in the effectiveness of direct duels. Van Dijk now has a win rate of around 75% in ground and aerial battles, up from around 69% and 72% last season, showing that although he intervenes less frequently, he is still very effective when he does.
Liverpool were the top team in the Premier League last season but are far from that level now. But the captain’s decline was not as severe as Shearer suggested. Van Dijk remains one of Europe’s most dominant aerial players in both attack and defense, and he is rarely beaten off the dribble.
He still has a lot left in his game.
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