Liverpool are back in Premier League action against Sunderland on Wednesday, and Virgil van Dijk is expected to captain the team.
Van Dijk came under fire from fans after he gave away a penalty in a Champions League defeat versus PSV last week.
This came on the back of some harsh comments from Wayne Rooney, who questioned the Liverpool centre-back’s leadership skills, along with those of Mohamed Salah.
Now, ahead of the Sunderland tie, Emile Heskey has been discussing Liverpool’s struggles this season and how they can improve.
Guess the former Liverpool and Sunderland player if you can!
Still struggling? He ended his career at Blackburn Rovers.
Emile Heskey tells Liverpool teammates to help Virgil van Dijk
When speaking to the BBC, the former Reds striker bemoaned the lack of leaders at Anfield right now.
He did praise Curtis Jones, who came out after PSV hammering to give an honest interview.
Heskey said: “Curtis Jones is quite a young lad still, but he’s still stepping up to be a leader. You need senior players – I had Gary McAllister, who was a fantastic leader for us – and having a senior player that really gets behind you and really pushes, you need that.”
But the ex-England international went on to urge the rest of Liverpool’s squad to follow suit and become more like Van Dijk.
He continued: “For me, they need more leaders. Virgil has taken a lot on and we’ve given him the accolades of whoever plays alongside him, he really boosts them and gives them a lift up.
“Is that too much at times to keep doing that? He needs help as well along that way.”
Is Antoine Semenyo good enough to replace Mohamed Salah at Liverpool?
Premier League stats since the start of 2024/25
Mohamed Salah
- Appearances: 50
- Goals: 33
- Assists: 20
Antoine Semenyo
- Appearances: 49
- Goals: 17
- Assists: 9
Jamie Carragher picks Liverpool player who must become a leader
Heskey and Rooney are not the first former footballers to call out Liverpool’s lack of leadership this season.
Jamie Carragher defended Salah for the criticism he is receiving on the pitch this week.
However, the former centre-back also wants the Liverpool winger to step up off the field.
Speaking after PSV, he said: “I must say on the back of all these Liverpool defeats, it’s always Virgil van Dijk who comes out. The captain should do that but there should be other players in that dressing room coming out and speaking for the club.
“A year ago, Mo Salah wasn’t shy in coming out and speaking about his own situation, about the club not offering him a contract.
“I only ever hear Salah speak when he gets man of the match or he needs a new contract.
“I’d like to see Mo Salah come out as one of the leaders, one of the legends of Liverpool, come out and speak for the team. It shouldn’t always be the captain.”
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