Jose Enrique has told Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk on Instagram ‘don’t get involved’ after he was criticised by Dutch legend Marco van Basten at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Former striker van Basten stated that Van Dijk doesn’t have the leadership qualities and Enrique wrote that it’s understandable those comments will ‘hurt’ the Liverpool star because he is his idol.
On the domestic scene, it’s Jordan Henderson who is the Liverpool skipper, but Van Dijk dons the captain’s armband for his country.
Well, according to to van Basten, who won two European Cups during his career, including a stunning 277 goals from 373 games before injury cut short his career, he doesn’t like what Van Dijk brings to the table and Enrique thinks those comments just have to be ignored.
“I agree he shouldn’t have replied to van Basten or anyone,” said Enrique.
“You have to focus on playing football. I understand for Van Dijk (that van Basten) is an idol, and like he says, it hurts him hearing that from van Basten.
“But it’s better, while you are playing, you don’t get involved and just focus on playing.”
A LEADER WITH HIS PERFORMANCES
Gone are the days a captain or players are screaming at one another and throwing punches in the dressing room.
That aggressive-natured approach, including from managers, has gone out of the game because the modern-day player simply doesn’t respond to it.
That’s not in Van Dijk’s nature, but what he does do, both at club and international level, is lead with his performances, so that can’t be questioned, even from a legend like van Basten.
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