Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk slammed for ‘not having leadership skills’ as yet ANOTHER Dutch legend wades in
LIVERPOOL star Virgil van Dijk has been slammed for “not having leadership skills.”
That’s after another Dutch legend joined the line of critics taking aim at the defender.
Van Dijk, 31, is regarded as one of the best in the business after turning Liverpool into Premier League champions.
He also played a key role in their Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup success under Jurgen Klopp.
But Van Dijk has been unable to escape his critics while captaining the Dutch national side.
In November he was slammed by Marco van Basten.
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And in March he was labelled a "first-class wimp" by Gertjan Verbeek.
The centre-back next came under fire from Rafael van der Vaart following Holland's Nations League third-place final defeat to Italy.
Van Dijk lost out in a battle with Federico Chiesa, allowing the Juventus forward to score in his side’s 3-2 win.
Van der Vaart said at the time: “Virgil van Dijk is being criticised and rightly so.
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“For 20 minutes I thought he is back, but that moment with Chiesa… he is basically doing nothing.
“We are missing Matthijs de Ligt in his current form, let’s not forget that.”
Unfortunately for Van Dijk, Dutch legend Ruud Gullit has now accused him of lacking leadership, claiming both he and Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong are not stepping up for their country.
The ex-Chelsea manager wrote in : “I have been looking for arguments to defend [Holland boss] Ronaldo Koeman and the internationals in the Nations League.
“After all, I have also been a player and you do not like this to happen in a big football event organised in your country.
“After a tremendous fight, I can’t defend Koeman and his players. Did you feel like going on vacation?
“Despite the fact that they are idolised by some people in the Netherlands, often to loud applause, I find that these two important players do not measure up when necessary.
“They do not reach the level that can be required of them as decisive international leaders.
“I think Van Dijk and De Jong don’t have leadership skills. Actually, I’m asking them for something they don’t have. They need more attention to their own game.
“It’s difficult for a coach to work without leaders on the pitch and it’s supposed to be that Van Dijk and De Jong should be those leaders.”
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Reflecting on his own performance in the Italy defeat, Van Dijk said: “It’s just not good enough. The first half was bad.
“This can’t happen. You play for your honour today. I feel ashamed.”
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