Pundit says one Liverpool player is now a lot slower this season

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Virgil van Dijk has been criticised for his pace this season, with the Liverpool defender seemingly playing slower than usual for club and country.

Speaking to The Stand, Irish pundit Eamon Dunphy slammed the Anfield captain for his apparent lack of pace in key games this season for both Liverpool and the Netherlands.

The defender hasn’t been at his best, with Van Dijk seemingly still shaking off some pre-season rust. And Dunphy has now taken aim at the defender for seemingly losing a yard in his game.

The Irish pundit said about Van Dijk’s apparent lack of pace this season: “West Ham scored one yesterday and there’s a big question mark around Van Dijk.

“You watched the match in the Aviva when we played Holland, you know even Adam Idah had the legs on him and he was very lucky not to give away a penalty or a goal.

“He’s lost that yard or two of pace which for him was critical. So, they are obviously weak at the back in relative terms Liverpool but they have firepower up front.”

Van Dijk needs to return to form for Liverpool soon

There’s no denying that Van Dijk has lost some of his pace, mainly due to the defender’s ACL injury that the Dutch superstar suffered in 2020.

And with the centre-back now 32-years-old, losing some of his speed is par for the course, yet even Van Dijk would admit that his form has to improve.

The defender has not been at his world-class best this season, and with Liverpool now seemingly in a title race, Jurgen Klopp will need Van Dijk at his best if they’re to challenge Manchester City for top honours.