Virgil van Dijk was reportedly not at his best last night as the Liverpool defender gave away a penalty for the Netherlands against the Republic of Ireland.
According to the Independent’s Miguel Delaney, the 32-year-old centre-back was looking ‘vulnerable’ as the Dutch captain conceded an early penalty that resulted in Ireland taking the lead.
Whilst the Netherlands regrouped and charged to a 2-1 victory, thanks to a Cody Gakpo penalty of his own, it was a night to forget for Van Dijk ahead of his return to Liverpool this week.
It’s the second major defensive error the centre-back has made this season after Van Dijk was sent off for Liverpool in their 2-1 win against Newcastle United.
And Van Dijk is now again in the headlines for all the wrong reasons, with the Liverpool captain in need of something to get these silly mistakes out of his game for good.
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Liverpool need the old Van Dijk back soon
Van Dijk’s performances this season for club and country have been concerning, to say the least, and Jurgen Klopp will want something done about the defender sooner rather than later.
The 32-year-old’s mistakes are now starting to build up, and ahead of his return to the Liverpool squad, the centre-back has to regain his old form if he’s to stand a chance at leading the Reds to glory.
Moreover, Van Dijk himself is it a stage in his career where he should be at his absolute best, though performances are starting to show otherwise on both the international stage and in the Premier League.