The Liverpool center-back was at fault for another soft goal in the 3-2 defeat at Bournemouth on Saturday and a former defender feels Van Dijk needs to change his approach
10:34, 27 Jan 2026
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk
Jaap Stam feels Virgil van Dijk should focus on his own game(Image: Getty Images)
Former Manchester United defender Jap Staam believes Virgil van Dijk has lacked consistency this season and has called on the Liverpool captain to “focus on himself”.
Van Dijk’s levels have dropped drastically this season compared to the title-winning campaign a year ago. He has been responsible for several high-profile errors, which have cost the team.
He was at fault again for a goal on Saturday as the Reds were beaten 3-2 by Bournemouth, when he misjudged a high ball into the box and allowed Alex Scott to cross for a waiting Evanilson to score. Arne Slot defended Van Dijk after the game and said the error was owed to an unpredictable wind on the south coast, but another fellow Dutchman’s assessment was less kind.
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“When you watch Virgil van Dijk play, he seems to be doubting himself,” Stam told Covers.com.
“He is the leader of this Liverpool team, but they are finding it difficult to get results.
“He seems preoccupied with the performances of his teammates but he also needs to focus on himself.
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 24: Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool complains to referee Michael Salisbury during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Liverpool at Vitality Stadium on January 24, 2026 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Van Dijk was at fault for Bournemouth's first goal on Saturday(Image: Getty Images)
“As a central defender, if you are not fully focused in every moment of the game, you can make a mistake – as we saw in Liverpool’s defeat at Bournemouth.
“That is costing him and Arne Slot’s team dearly. Central defenders need to be sharp, otherwise the ball will end up in the back of the net.”
Stam will no doubt be considering Van Dijk’s performances in reference to the Dutch national team, with the Liverpool star set to captain the Netherlands at the World Cup this summer.
His club form will inevitably feed into his standards on the international stage, and Stam wants to see Van Dijk cut out the needless errors.
Jaap Stam
Stam was critical of Van Dijk's recent performances(Image: 2025 James Gill - Danehouse)
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“When you are one of the best players, and Van Dijk is undoubtedly one of the best defenders in the world, people are going to be highlighting your mistakes, because they expect the very highest level from you,” said the former United, AC Milan and Lazio defender.
“Van Dijk has been amazing for Liverpool, but he will know that he has not been as consistent this season. He is a very realistic guy and he knows he needs to improve.
“Defenders, like any player, will always make errors, but Van Dijk will know that Liverpool cannot afford him to make mistakes – Slot needs him at his best.”