Liverpool’s defensive issues have been under the spotlight again, and this time Virgil van Dijk is right in the middle of it. The Dutch captain, who has been at Anfield for nearly eight years, is no stranger to pressure — but what happened after the Sunderland draw has reopened old wounds. 👀⚠️
As the Reds prepare for a crucial clash with Leeds this weekend, memories of past struggles are creeping back. One of those came in their chaotic 4–3 win over Leeds at the start of the 2020/21 campaign — a match that saw both brilliance and uncertainty from Liverpool’s back line. Mo Salah delivered a stunning hat-trick, Van Dijk scored as well, yet questions about their defensive shape refused to go away. 🤯🔥
Back then, ex-Liverpool defender Steve Nicol didn’t hold back. He slammed the team’s decision-making, saying their high defensive line was a “fundamental problem,” insisting that even world-class individuals can’t defend if the unit isn’t working together. ⚡🗣️
And now? The criticism is returning.
Van Dijk was blamed for Wednesday night’s equaliser, after turning away from Chemsdine Talbi’s strike — a moment that sparked anger among pundits and fans. Jamie Redknapp added fuel to the fire, claiming the defender looks “uncertain” and “not the same force” he was last season. 😬🔥
But this isn’t the first time Van Dijk has been singled out.
During that frantic 4–3 victory over Leeds years ago, he was faulted for a mix-up that led to a Patrick Bamford goal. Yet Jurgen Klopp stepped in to calm the noise, insisting his side wasn’t as fragile as critics suggested, blaming simple misunderstandings rather than structural flaws.
However, the defensive issues worsened weeks later when Liverpool were hammered 7–2 by Aston Villa — followed immediately by Van Dijk’s season-ending knee injury. From there, everything changed. 😢💔
Van Dijk eventually returned to lead Liverpool back to glory… but this season has been different. The mistakes are creeping back. The confidence looks shaken. And the questions are getting louder.
Is this just a temporary dip… or a warning sign of something deeper? 👀🔥
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