Rafael van der Vaart has called out Liverpool ahead their second Champions League game against Ajax, and believes they are not as good as the hype that surrounds them.
The former Ajax midfielder labelled the Reds as 'mediocre' ahead of their clash on Tuesday night, and singled out Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Joe Gomez as 'very normal players'.
Van der Vaart believes football fans have become 'blinded' to the average nature of Liverpool's team after their poor start to the season, despite reaching three Champions League finals in five seasons and winning the Premier League.
Speaking to Dutch programme Rondo, the former Dutch international said: 'I think we have become a bit blinded. We suddenly think Jordan Henderson is a crazy player. That's just a very normal player.
'James Milner is also a very normal player. Joe Gomez is also a very normal player.'
'Virgil van Dijk is top, the right back and left back are also good. But if things don't go well and those attackers don't have their day, then I think it's just a very mediocre team.'
However, Van der Vaart did still highlight the obvious threat presented by Jurgen Klopp's dazzling array of attacking options, even though the likes of Mo Salah have been misfiring at times this season.
The Reds hammered Bournemouth 9-0 in August, but have otherwise found it hard at times to get on the scoresheet, and casting that result against the Cherries aside, have only managed six goals in five Premier League games.
Salah is goalless in seven in the Champions League but the Dutch club's defence will still have to contend with the likes of Darwin Nunez, Roberto Firmino and Luis Diaz, who has led the way for the Reds at times this season with four goals.
Van der Vaart added: 'The only thing I'm afraid of at Ajax is: if Luis Díaz and Mohamed Salah do have their day, then we have a problem.
'Then Ajax will never win. Certainly not at Anfield, I don't think Daley Blind and Devyne Rensch are good enough for that.'
After seven games in all competitions the Reds have won only three, drawing three more and losing the seventh last week against Napoli, whilst the Dutch champions have recorded an unbeaten start in six matches.
Both sides were part of a four-goal hammering last time out in the competition, with de Godenzonen hammering Rangers 4-0 at home whilst Klopp's side fell to a shock 4-1 drubbing at Napoli.
yatbekmrs
0
So you shall lose at home.
Redrosey
0
hahahha win what????
wait and watch
Gunners4ever❤
0
don't cry when Liverpool win Champion League this season
That's not the worst claim. I remember Chelsea being closer to the relegation zone than the top 4 in January 2021 and they won the Champions League title months later.
wusbmnrsz
0
Liverpool have many superb players.Critisising them because of a slow start to the season is wrong.
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When u have Guts to appreciate then should have Balls to criticize
wusbmnrsz
0
another 20 years of drought is incoming
Hilarious 😂
LIVERPOOLIAN_INTER
3
I agree to what he is saying about them just being normal. Gomez- Gomez has pace but he is very indecisive and he only tackles when he wants to thus meaning it’s never a consistent performance. He would have a good run of games, get inevitably injured and then come back shocking terrible. Understandable but it’s bad because also Konate and Matip are injured so we need him to step up his game. He could play better than how he has been doing but I guess that’s just the definition of inconsistency. Him not playing well will just put him back on the bench when Matip or Konate come back from injury. It’s almost as if he loves being on the bench. Play the odd Carabao and FA Cup games against Championship opponents and still collect a nice weekly wage by doing the bear minimum. Milner- Nothing too much I would say about Milner. Milner is 36 and is losing the traits he needs to still compete with the other opposition players in the league because he is getting old. However what you can’t take of this man is his hard work and experience in the sport. I think that’s why Klopp always favour him. He will do job and be a leader when no-one will. I like that he yelled at Van Dijk when Sancho scored against us in that defeat because Van Dijk literally had his legs spread out and wasn’t even pressing Sancho and simply just allowed him to score. The telling of Milner does is essential. No matter how bigger, taller you are to him in the team, he knows he can tell you off when you are wrong and you will listen to him. He would play RB, LB and hell even on the wings if Klopp tells him to. He loves the club. I don’t call him Mr Reliable for nothing. Hendo- Hendo is similar to Milner. He is a simple player, doesn’t have any skills in the tank but has lead this team to the Premier League title; that’s something that Stevie unfortunately couldn’t do. Say what you want about him but to me he is a guy you always need in every dressing room. In interviews, advertisement, on billboards you want a guy a Hendo there and not a Maguire. He has been successful but we need to replace him in the starting lineup with a Jude or Sangare or Barella esque player. Another hard worker who loves the club.
JasHK
2
It’s never the individual players for Liverpool
Mirgod
3
he ain't lying.. many Liverpool players are normal.. even Salah . it's Klopps system that makes them shine the moment the opponent figure out how to counter Klopp there's no individual brilliance to save the day especially in the midfield n defense..
DinAli316
0
don't cry when Liverpool win Champion League this season
hahahha win what????
Scousercasey666
1
lets see smel de fart
Redrosey
1
don't cry when Liverpool win Champion League this season
kocabckmpt
0
Lose draw or win Whatever they do I will always be faithful to Liverpool Ynwa
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another 20 years of drought is incoming
yesabdkmp
0
Liverpool is a very good team. they r in trouble right now bcos of injuries to midfielders. and the reason the defence is so messed up is bcos there r no capable midfielders available to shield them.
God bless you my amazing United fan
Badhur
4
Lose draw or win Whatever they do I will always be faithful to Liverpool Ynwa
logannasti
3
Liverpool will be back after the international break all their players will be back from injury by then Thiago and matip are back so chill
Kkrexuke
6
Liverpool is a very good team. they r in trouble right now bcos of injuries to midfielders. and the reason the defence is so messed up is bcos there r no capable midfielders available to shield them.
Kozbekmnop
1
The reds lost 2 games this season not 1 game..lost to UTD n Napoli.
RedzwanZorae
0
normalize
RedzwanZorae
1
norm
Devardov
1
Okay keep on talking
IronBorn
0
The mediocre team has reached 3 UCL finals with the normal players the engine of the team. He has better got something up his sleeves or he knows what is coming
cibcinopy
0
Good player never work alone
sunnysayus
1
Liverpool have many superb players.Critisising them because of a slow start to the season is wrong.
Kicelnpstu
2
it's not your fault, it's Liverpool that have forgotten they have a long season ahead and have scored all their goals against Bonamouth 😂😂😂
reobdkmo
0
He should have told this before their champions league triumph. Now they’re out of form and everything is opposite
wecelmno
0
u dam right 4-1 reason