Virgil van Dijk was accused of piling in on Milos Kerkez following Liverpool's defeat to Man Utd, while Marco van Basten recently claimed the defender is not a leader
Virgil van Dijk has been offering support to Alexander Isak as he adjusts to life at Liverpool. The forward moved to the Reds on transfer deadline day in a deal worth £125m.
The Sweden international joined Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Giovanni Leoni, Armin Pesci and Freddie Woodman in making the move to Anfield - as Arne Slot oversaw an almost complete overhaul of the attack that won the title last season.
However, Isak is yet to score in the Premier League or Champions League, with his only goal for the Reds coming against Southampton in the Carabao Cup. The forward's performances have also come into question as he adjusts to life as a Liverpool player.
But according to The Athletic, Reds captain Van Dijk has been particularly supportive in terms of offering advice to the club's record signing. The revelation comes after the Dutchman was accused of piling in on another team-mate in Milos Kerkez following Liverpool's defeat to Manchester United on Sunday.
One moment that summed up Liverpool's afternoon against Ruben Amorim's side came in the second half when an attempted clearance from Van Dijk smacked off the face of Kerkez and went over the crossbar. The centre-back then appeared to have a go at his team-mate, something that left former Premier League midfielder Craig Burley outraged.
"Virgil van Dijk, to me, is not leading at the moment - he's blaming," he told ESPN FC. "Kerkez is having a bad time, there's no doubt about it.
"He's getting swallowed up by the pressure of going in with these big players in this huge football club with these big expectations, but I don't think it helps when your captain's looking at him every two minutes and blaming him, or digging him out.
"Even at the end, the clearance that comes off Kerkez's face. What’s he supposed to do? He's tucking in behind Van Dijk.
"Van Dijk's turning around and he’s gesturing to him. The crowd see it and I just don't think that helps the situation."
While speaking earlier this month, Dutch great Marco van Basten also claimed Van Dijk is not a leader. He said: "I think Van Dijk should be the leader. He should set a good example and be the driving force.
"I miss that in him. I find his mentality easy. He's a fantastic player, and perhaps the best defender we have in the world." He can head the ball, he is quick, tall, and he has a good overview.
"He's just not the leader who drives the team forward. That would be very beneficial for the team. I hope Arne Slot can teach him that."
wepabltuy
0
Why did Slot don't like Chiesa though he is good infront of goal?
Chiesa is more of a running striker in counter attacks like when you play 4-4-2.
Zohbeimort
0
Why did Slot don't like Chiesa though he is good infront of goal?
agree
wewabelru
1
Why did Slot don't like Chiesa though he is good infront of goal?
Rutbdilosy
2
exactly he just blaming others without acknowledging his lapses 👈 Absolutely not a leader again he always slowing the game.
mibbclmpz
0
kaoabilmtu
0
Hahaha liverpool fans are mentally up because they lost to man utd which liverpool fans despise always🤣in the end the players and the fans are not on the same page🤭now who survives in the cave,man utd or liverpool❓please answer honestly🤭🤫
the team that in 9th position deserve to be in the cave..which team is in 9th position?please answer honestly [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Widilmostz
0
Another fcking Arseanal shithead talking
A LiVARfool talking
Badhur
0
I just learnt another sweet spelling to add to assanal
Hahahahhahhahahah bottiers
suaaekpu
0
Hahaha liverpool fans are mentally up because they lost to man utd which liverpool fans despise always🤣in the end the players and the fans are not on the same page🤭now who survives in the cave,man utd or liverpool❓please answer honestly🤭🤫
Go to the cave and find out. This football and not Flintstones.
Bisaderuz
0
This calling out a player is a leaders’ job….VvD is the total leader.
suaaekpu
1
Very good to know that the captain is supportive of the players, win or lose,it's a team play. As for Isak, he'll get over it and score more goals. The back line is the problem, because I see a lot of space at the back.
Cooldaddy3
2
Van dijk need to step out for a while now. Slot shall prioritize new cb on winter transfer. How the hell he so slow lately? Really a scum this guy
Licbikny
0
Buy players at expensive prices but there is no result👎just talking more finally liverpool fans have brain pain and keep crying because anfield was destroyed by the underdog club🤣🤣 karma is on🤫
Licbikny
1
Hahaha liverpool fans are mentally up because they lost to man utd which liverpool fans despise always🤣in the end the players and the fans are not on the same page🤭now who survives in the cave,man utd or liverpool❓please answer honestly🤭🤫
koucknopsy
0
van basten you are not a leader also so pls shut up.Van Dijk is doing fine just slightly not his usual std past two games.
hen2020
0
In each timing do unimprove play do in train training do trainer do a trainee add van dijk to game do line do defense train together do line new play do line ,in a floor fit round lamp do line them do lined .
darrenham
1
His action and face said it all.... Team not doing is never his fault but others... They are all right about him... He never leads by example to his own teammates or lead the team spirit to believe this is just a minor crisis and if all stick together as a team... They will prevail...
AFerqVjz8174
0
You who doesn’t know how to Stand tackle any player or approach an attacker is talking 😂
nuzceknru
0
Onaba was seen publicly berating Mguire during a match at Man U,where is he today and where is the person he was shaming? let's learn.
musuarez7
0
Van Bastard keep quiet your time has passed. Van Dijk that's Great all season. only few bad games, you're already talking shit about him
yukceimouy
0
And yet his late performances are very poor,not saying he almost k’o Alexis and that cost us a goal.That is also why Konate feels overwhelmed and need to cover so much ground.
Soaimpty
2
Absolutely..he’s been unreasonably blaming other defenders when he’s never dealt the situations any better. He should guide his defenders to stop ball watching & men-mark, which is feel has been the cause for most goals!
teubdnpsz
1
Virgil van Dijk keeps quite you that cost goal 🥅 you're always feeling as you the owner of the club
Nouadikmru
1
isak
Kooaepuz
0
Thanks for the Liverpool fans by the name LANCHO JR
Fabianobus
1
Another fcking Arseanal shithead talking
I just learnt another sweet spelling to add to assanal
Thepudlian
3
That's normal, nobody is perfect. VVD is a leader, a good one of course.
kmuguna
2
When a leader start casting aspersions the house is dividend and that's where the fall begins. Plz Capt watch out!!
Badhur
2
Van Dijk always blames others
Another fcking Arseanal shithead talking
Bayabilnyz
2
Van Dijk always blames others
if you don't know what to say you just keep your fucking mouth closed.
howdmoprtu
3
Van Dijk always blames others