Craig Burley launches an angry tirade after the Liverpool captain appeared to be at fault for Sunderland's goal at Anfield that ended up earning the visitors a point
Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool reacts during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield
Craig Burley claims Virgil van Dijk spends a lot of time 'throwing his hands in the air'
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As the Liverpool squad’s leader, captain and spokesman, Virgil van Dijk has not been afraid of self-criticism. In the wake of the loss to Nottingham Forest at Anfield last month, the Dutchman described the run of results and performances as a ‘mess’ and said there should be collective responsibility to turn things around and that each and every player should look at themselves in the mirror.
But Van Dijk has largely escaped serious criticism, even though he gave away a bizarre penalty in the subsequent defeat by PSV Eindhoven. In the main, his central defensive partner Ibrahima Konate and big-money left-back Milos Kerkez have been under the most scrutiny.
But, in emphatic fashion, that has now changed with one TV pundit labelling Van Dijk a “coward”. And in an astonishing tirade, ex-Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley has claimed Van Dijk “has been as bad as anybody else” during Liverpool’s difficult spell.
Burley, speaking on ESPN, said: “I’m fed up sitting here and (listening to people saying) ‘it’s Mo Salah not playing well, Florian Wirtz can’t find his feet, Alexander Isak, Ekitike, the midfield's dynamic has changed’. He (Van Dijk) is the barometer of what is wrong this year.
Craig Burley talking on ESPN
Craig Burley did not hold back in his criticism of Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk
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"He is supposed to be the leader. All he has done all season is throw Kerkez under the bus, (and) throw his arms up in the air. He is making as many mistakes as any other player. Every game, you could watch him and go … ‘what’s he doing?’.”
Van Dijk gave the ball away for Sunderland’s goal at Anfield on Wednesday, with Chemsdine Talbi’s shot then taking a decisive deflection off the Liverpool skipper. And Burley was scathing of Van Dijk’s contribution, saying: “He does everything wrong. Pass, doesn’t close it down and turns his back like a coward.”
Milos Kerkez looks on during the Champions League group game between Eintracht Frankfurt and Liverpool FC at the Deutsche Bank Park
According to Craig Burley, Milos Kerkez has been 'thrown under the bus' by Virgil van Dijk
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Kerkez was on the bench for the Sunderland game, alongside Mo Salah, who has also been in the critical spotlight this season. And Burley thinks it is ‘crazy’ that Van Dijk has not been getting a similar amount of attention.
Burley, who also played for Celtic and Derby County and was capped 46 times by Scotland, went on: “It’s just absolutely crazy. He (Van Dijk) seems to be coming out of it relatively unscathed, and it is everybody else’s fault.
Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk look on
Ibrahima Konate has taken the lion's share of the blame for Liverpool's defensive deficiencies this season
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“But for me, at the back, he has been as bad as anybody else. And I think that goal and the way that he refused to close it down and the fact that he turned his back is the epitome of his performances this season.”
Liverpool’s draw with Sunderland means they are now 11 points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal. Their title defence looks all but doomed well before the season has reached its halfway stage.
Arne Slot’s side have lost six Premier League games and go to Elland Road for a Saturday evening showdown with Leeds United. Daniel Farke's side are sure to be in a buoyant mood after their surprise win over Chelsea in midweek.
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