Jamie Carragher has claimed Virgil van Dijk is now a "normal center-back" following his disappointing run of form.
The Liverpool captain has struggled in recent weeks, conceding a penalty on Wednesday against PSV Eindhoven following a needless handball. Van Dijk also gave away another penalty in the recent loss at Brentford and was partly at fault for goals against Manchester City and Manchester United.
It has led to widespread criticism, and of course, his back-and-forth with Wayne Rooney earlier this month. Carragher has always held Van Dijk in the highest regard and claimed earlier this season that he is among Liverpool’s all-time greatest players.
But in the wake of his recent downturn, Carragher now feels the Dutchman may never reach those preeminent levels again.
“This is maybe a snapshot of the future of Liverpool when Mo Salah moves on, Virgil van Dijk moves on, and Alisson moves on," he said on CBS Sports, when asked about Liverpool’s poor form.
“Liverpool in 2018, under [Jurgen] Klopp, starts this journey of being a great team, and then seven years later [Arne] Slot comes in.
Virgil van Dijk is one of several Liverpool players showing their frustration this season.
Van Dijk has been poor in recent weeks (Image: 2025 Getty Images)
“The catalyst for Liverpool at the very start of that run was Alisson, Van Dijk and Salah. Alisson's injured a lot now, so he doesn't play so much. But you're watching Van Dijk now, not the same player, and Salah looks like his legs have gone.
“Van Dijk now can't help other players,” Carragher continued. “He needs help himself, and that just means that he's a normal center-back, like I was at one stage, so maybe he's not superhuman right now. But they've been that good for the football club.”
It’s quite the pivot from Carragher, who in February claimed Van Dijk finds the Premier League too "easy."
“He’s too good for the highest level of football. It’s almost like it’s still too easy for him. It almost feels like there should be another level above that for Van Dijk because he plays the game with such ease,” said the pundit.
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 16: Jamie Carragher looks on at the end of the Carabao Cup Final between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium on March 16, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
Carragher was critical of Van Dijk's recent performance levels (Image: Getty Images)
Despite Van Dijk’s dip in form, the 34-year-old has started 18 matches this season, missing just the two games in the Carabao Cup.
He began the 2025/26 campaign impressively, particularly amid Ibrahima Konate’s struggles, but that has waned since returning from the October international break. Following the 4-1 loss against PSV on Wednesday, Van Dijk aired his frustrations via social media.
“We're facing one of the toughest moments of our journey, but we refuse to let this define us," Van Dijk wrote on Instagram. "We will rise from this. I believe in this team with everything I have. Nothing has ever been handed to us — we've fought for everything, and this moment is no different.
“We won't give in. Won't give up. Every challenge is an opportunity. We must grow together, lift each other up, and show the strength that lies within us. To the fans, keep supporting us. We all need each other more than ever!”