Neil Ruddock says there’s one Liverpool player he wants to give a ‘kick up the backside’

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Former Liverpool defender Neil Ruddock was well-known for his intensity on the football pitch.

Never one to shy away from a tackle – or an argument – there’s a reason Ruddock was given the nickname ‘razor.’

If there’s one true opposite of the way Razor went about his business on the pitch, then it’s Liverpool’s current captain Virgil van Dijk.

Van Dijk is as cool as the proverbial cucumber. But speaking live on air to TalkSPORT this morning, Ruddock suggested that he’d like to see a little more fire in the Dutchman’s performances.

“I’ve watched a lot of him and I think he’s one of those players that has to be cool,” explained the pundit. “He looks cool when he plays, he doesn’t get flustered. Sometimes when I watch him I want to give him a kick up the backside. I want him shouting. I want him effing and blinding at other players.

“I think he’s just one of those natural cool characters and he takes it on a bit. He doesn’t get flustered and I think that’s just the way he plays. I do agree that with the injury he did have, he’s not going to be the player he was but he’s still one of the best in the world for me but I sometimes I think he’s just too cool. I want him to lose his temper, I want him to get the hump.”

Van Dijk urged to show more fire

Last season, with Van Dijk playing poorly, we could understand calls for him to be a bit more aggressive and animated on the pitch.

But this season, we actually think we’re seeing that from the 32-year-old.

Yesterday’s win over Fulham was actually a good example of that. Having pathetically been booked following a brushing of Andreas Perreira’s face, Van Dijk let the referee know exactly what he thought about the decision.

It follows on from the Netherlands international picking up an additional one-game ban for berating officials after getting sent off against Newcastle earlier this season.

Watch him closely during games and you’ll really see Virgil letting his teammates have it at times as well. He isn’t afraid to hand out a dressing down if needed. That was in full view last night, too.

After being ruled out of Sunday’s game against Arsenal through illness, Van Dijk wasn’t at his best against Fulham. He was at fault for Willian’s goal and looked a little shaky throughout.

Liverpool’s No.4 has really stepped his game back up this season, though. Beyond the halfway point, we think he’s been the Reds’ best player of the campaign.

So he doesn’t rant and rave like some centre-halves of the past. For us, that’s not a problem. Van Dijk’s calmness is part of what has made him one of the best defenders of all time. Whether he’s shouting, screaming or quietly going about his business, the big man commands respect.