It’s amazing how fast things can change in football. This time last year, Virgil van Dijk was regarded as a player past his peak. Now, a year later, he’s better than ever before.
The Liverpool captain came under a lot of scrutiny last season. But the truth was while he was not at his best, it wasn’t entirely his fault. Liverpool’s midfield in front of him made the defence a lot more vulnerable. Things simply were not in sync.
Now, as that problem has been fixed, it is no coincidence Liverpool are back to their formidable best. And after last night’s 4-0 demolition over Bournemouth, Virgil van Dijk has been reflecting back to last season.
Virgil van Dijk on his critics last season
Speaking to Sky Sports, Van Dijk explained in his post-match interview after Bournemouth that he didn’t agree with the critics last season.
“Last year was not, for my standards, the best year,” Van Dijk said. “I fully admit that. But it wasn’t that bad as everyone is making out how it was. For me it was a case of just keeping my head down and don’t listen to the noise around me and just starting playing.”
“I’m glad I did and pre-season on, even from last year, I think after we changed the system a little bit and Trent played a little bit more inside it went very well. I feel fine and what to achieve a lot of things as captain of this football club.”
Van Dijk is right. As we stated above, there were a lot of other issues going on at Liverpool as well, which impacted his performance. However, this season he has well and truly proven the old age adage – form is temporary, class is permanent.
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