Criticism aimed at players like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk is looking more and more fair after Liverpool vs PSV.
Earlier this season, we saw Wayne Rooney question Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah for their lack of leadership in what has been a trying season so far.
The reaction to the former striker’s comments was mixed at the time, but during the PSV loss, Liverpool fans agreed with Rooney’s point about Van Dijk not leading the team this term.
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Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool handles the ball which later leads to a penalty to PSV Eindhoven during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between Liverpool FC and PSV Eindhoven at Anfield
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It’s hard to argue with their claims, especially on the back of what transpired in the aftermath of Wednesday’s game.
Curtis Jones should not have to step up for Liverpool
Liverpool have now lost nine in 12, and the mood around Anfield is despondent.
Times like this are when you expect your senior players to step up, face the music, and shoulder some of the blame.
But that did not happen on November 26, with Van Dijk and Salah nowhere to be seen for media duties.
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Instead, it was a young, fringe player in Curtis Jones who conducted post-match interviews with both RTE and CBS.
Jones’ comments on Liverpool’s struggles were fair, and the midfielder deserves credit for taking responsibility.
But don’t let that take away from the fact that he should not have been in that position in the first place, with the role instead belonging to someone like Van Dijk or Salah.
Curtis Jones during Liverpool FC v PSV Eindhoven - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD5
Photo by Molly Darlington/Copa/Getty Images
Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are not leading Liverpool
In the aftermath of the tie, Jamie Carragher urged Salah to step up off the pitch and do an interview.
Speaking on CBS, he said: “You always look at for your leaders in your team to step up when things are not going well.
“Now, I’ve been critical of MoSalah off the pitch. I want him to come out and do an interview tonight and speak to the Liverpool supporters about what the players are going to do, what’s going on in the dressing room, giving the supporters hope that things are going to improve.”
However, Salah did not make himself available, nor did Van Dijk, proving that comments from fans and Rooney about their lack of leadership are spot-on.
It’s a dire situation for the club to be in, and fans must now be asking who, if not them, will emerge to lead Liverpool out of this mess.
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