Ally McCoist has been speaking about Liverpool on talkSPORT after the Reds endured a difficult start, with Virgil van Dijk under the spotlight.
Ally McCoist slams Virgil van Dijk
Well, Liverpool currently sit tenth in the Premier League after a terrible start to the campaign, having won just ten points from a possible 24.
The likes of Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Fabinho have been far from their usual selves, although McCoist decided to highlight Van Dijk, who also hasn’t been at his best.
Speaking alongside Gabby Agbonlahor, the 60-year-old said: “Van Dijk, before the injury, was probably the best centre-back on the planet. The injury looks as if it’s taken a toll. He doesn’t look the same player. He looks as if he needs a spark.”
The £240,000-a-week man certainly hasn’t been his imperious self so far this season.
Van Dijk received an on-pitch reality check at Old Trafford earlier this term, when James Milner got in his face after the Dutchman defended poorly against Jadon Sancho.
The England international put Manchester United on their way to a 2-1 win after scoring the opening goal.
Usually so solid at the back, Liverpool have kept just two clean sheets in the Premier League so far this season, conceding 13 goals in their ten outings.
Virgil van Dijk struggling at Liverpool
There is no denying that Van Dijk has been affected by his serious knee injury.
The 31-year-old appears to be playing with the same relaxed swagger he had before Jordan Pickford crashed into his knee, although his body doesn’t appear to be keeping up with that.
At times, Van Dijk has appeared too laid back when defending – it’s almost as if he still believes he has the recovery pace to make amends for poor positioning, when he is nowhere near as quick as he used to be.
Hopefully, Jürgen Klopp can find a way to get his No.4 back to being the colossus we know he can be.
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