World Cup: Virgil van Dijk fires back at criticism from Dutch legend Marco van Basten
Virgil van Dijk has fired back at Marco van Basten after the Dutch legend criticised the Liverpool star’s defending in his country’s 1-1 draw with Ecuador.
Van Basten, a three-time Ballon d’Or winner and who was part of Holland’s squad that won Euro 1988, blamed Van Dijk for Enner Valencia’s equaliser on Friday.
On Dutch television, Van Basten said it was Van Dijk standing off Valencia, that allowed the former West Ham star to score and earn the South American nation a point.
Van Dijk was asked about Van Basten’s comments in his post-match interview.
He said: ‘I don’t think he is ever positive, so what am I supposed to do with it? It’s easy to talk from the studio.
‘Me failing as a captain? What do you want me to do with that info? I am always up front. I lead the team the best way possible.’
His comments were in response to Van Basten telling NOS, as per the in his post-match analysis: ‘Van Dijk is just waiting and watching him shoot. What is he looking at? He needs to be on top of him. He just lets him shoot!
‘He doesn’t take the lead. He takes care of nothing in the team. He makes a sound, but he doesn’t say anything. This is what he does.’
As Van Dijk suggests, this isn’t the first time that Van Basten has questioned the Liverpool centre-back.
The AC Milan legend did so after the September internationals, when Van Gaal’s side achieved wins against Poland and Belgium in the Nations League.
‘Van Dijk is actually the best man, but does the least in terms of initiative,’ Van Basten told Ziggo Sport. ‘It is actually very strange that such a very good player does so little for the Dutch national team in the build-up.’
Despite receiving criticism from Van Basten, Van Dijk was praised by De Jong ahead of the Ecuador game.
He told ITV: ‘2016, the Euros as well, 2018 we missed out so there’s a big gap in that generation since we played in 2014.
‘It’s crazy that he [Van Dijk] is 31 and it’s his first tournament but he’s still a rock, he is a rock for his national team, he’s enjoying every moment, I’m in touch with him almost on a daily basis, he’s a great guy, a humble dude.
‘He knows what it takes to be successful not just with his domestic team but in the squad, he’s the first one who goes in the battles and he brings his team along.’
