Former Liverpool player Jamie Carragher has claimed that one of Liverpool’s best players is back to his best following a poor run of form.
The start of the season has seen a number of Liverpool’s key players begin in poor form and it’s been reflected in the poor run of results and the manner of performances.
One player who has been way below his own levels is Virgil Van Dijk, a player who has been the standout centre-back in the Premier League in the last few years but his early season form has not been reflective of that.
However, following a solid performance against Ajax, Carragher believes that he is back to his best after a poor run and that Liverpool will be all the better for it.
Virgil van Dijk admits he hasn’t been at his best so far this season as he vowed to help transform Liverpool’s fortunes. pic.twitter.com/P4jnnsUZSI
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) September 14, 2022
Carragher on Van Dijk
The former Liverpool defender turned pundit was quick to praise Van Dijk after what has been an uncharacteristically poor start for the Dutch defender.
“They have had injuries and three of four players – who have been outstanding – have not been playing at their best.
“Maybe Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, maybe Fabinho in midfield, Mo Salah, these players have been out of this world for four or five years and they haven’t been at their best at the start of this season, but that is allowed, it is normal. They are only human. We have all been there as players.
“Criticism does spike you. You saw a huge turnaround in Liverpool’s performance [against Ajax]. Individually, van Dijk was back to his best.”
My word, @VirgilvDijk 🔥 pic.twitter.com/M1KHnVlvpZ
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 18, 2022
“If he wants to bite back at whoever that might be – I might be one of them or it might be somebody else – but I think Virgil van Dijk has had more pats on the back in the last five years in the Premier League.
“Maybe only Kevin De Bruyne in terms of classing them as the two best players in the league and in the world in their positions. So, he has done well out of not getting too much criticism in his career. There are people a lot worse off than him.”
Van Dijk was better against Ajax, especially as an attacking force, but Carragher has perhaps got a little carried away with the late victory in the Champions League. Ajax still created quite a few clear cut chances and Daley Blind’s header should have seen the Dutch side go 2-1 up in the second half.
They will face a very different threat when they return to Premier League action after the international break and the defender will be hoping for a win and clean sheet to set them on their way after a tricky start to the season.
