Luis Garcia says Liverpool have a player who looks really ‘vulnerable’ right now 

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Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk is suffering from a severe lack of confidence right now.

Van Dijk had actually started the season off really well, putting in a couple of top-level displays back in August. But after his red card against Newcastle United, some of the fragility of last season has returned.

And speaking to ESPN FC, former Liverpool player Luis Garcia has claimed that Virgil really needs someone to take the load off of him.

“I think it’s true that he’s started the season with some doubts, thinking that he needs to improve in that.” says the Spaniard. “I think he’s feeling that pressure at the moment.

“I used to enjoy playing with someone else next to me, someone else who gave me the confidence that when I’m not at my best that he can give me that cover, give me that confidence.

“I think he’s missing that piece, feeling that everything is falling on his back because he’s the leader, because he’s the captain, because he’s the player at the back who was expected to push the rest of the team. I think he’s feeling it at the moment.

“Right now Liverpool look so good going forward but he’s struggling because he looks vulnerable at the back. I think he’s feeling that heavy weight on his back.”

Virgil looking for help at the back

We’re not totally sure we agree with Luis here. Van Dijk has had his difficulties over the past year or so, that’s absolutely inescapable.

But for the most part this season he’s actually been very good indeed.

There was the red card at Newcastle – which still feels a little harsh – and the sloppy mistake which put Alexis Mac Allister in trouble against Brighton on Sunday.

Other than that though, the 32-year-old has been commanding, dependable and, whisper it quietly, back to his best.

Yes, he could possibly do with a consistent, dominating partner next to him to help him out. But it’s also fair to say that all of Ibrahima Konate, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez have done well when called upon this season.

Moving forward, we could do with one of those clearly being Van Dijk’s regular partner. Despite the good form of Matip and Gomez, it’s also clear that that should be Konate.

Once Ibou is back alongside him in the Premier League on a regular basis, expect Virgil to look fully assured once again. Until then, we’re not sure Liverpool’s No.4 will be complaining too much. There’s pressure on him, but there always has been. He knows how to deal with it.