Rafael van der Vaart has backtracked on his Virgil van Dijk criticism which prompted a fiery response from Jurgen Klopp at the World Cup 2026
Paul Gorst Liverpool FC correspondent
13:50, 22 Jun 2026Updated 14:05, 22 Jun 2026
Virgil van Dijk found himself in the firing line
Virgil van Dijk found himself in the firing line(Image: Getty Images)
Rafael van der Vaart has walked back his criticism of Virgil van Dijk that infuriated Jurgen Klopp at the weekend's World Cup fixture.
Van der Vaart, providing analysis for Dutch broadcaster NOS, likened the Liverpool and Netherlands skipper to a Boeing 747 ahead of Ronald Koeman's side's emphatic 5-1 victory over Sweden on Saturday in Houston, Texas.
Those remarks prompted Klopp, who brought Van Dijk to Anfield from Southampton in 2018 and watched him become one of the most respected centre-backs in the club's history, to spring to his former captain's defence during his own stint on German television. Klopp told Magenta: "If [Van der Vaart] ever says something positive about a player, I'm willing to take him seriously again."
Now, writing in his AceOdds.com column, Van der Vaart appears to have softened his position, maintaining that the 34-year-old remains among the finest defenders in the game, reports the Liverpool Echo.
"Van Dijk is still our leader," Van der Vaart said. "And I think he is performing well.
"He was one time turning a bit slow against Japan, but this is normal. He had a bad injury (ACL in October 2020) and a tough season at Liverpool.
"He is not getting younger, and for me it looks like he always tries to get the team to stay compact because that benefits him as a player. However, if we truly analyse him honestly, he is still one of the very, very best. Look at how easily Saibari outran Gabriel, who is considered in England the best centre-back.
"I was watching Saliba in the France game, and I saw quite a few mistakes. Compare Van Dijk with other centre backs, and it's clear that even at a so-so season, he is still elite. He is still our best defender. Without a doubt.
"He has been unfairly criticized by some in the Netherlands, but he is still our captain and our leader. But our nature is to criticise. One day you are the king, the next day you are s---."
Jurgen Klopp was unhappy with the comments
Jurgen Klopp was unhappy with the comments(Image: Sebastian Frej, Getty Images)
Van der Vaart first made the remark while discussing the Netherlands' 2-2 draw with Japan in their opening World Cup fixture the previous week.
"I must honestly say that I was a bit shocked by Van Dijk," said Van der Vaart, who earned 109 caps for Holland.
"That turning...It was a bit of a Boeing 747. I hope he will run a little faster during the tournament."
Klopp, who was present in Houston for the Dutch match, fired back during his own World Cup duties on Saturday evening: "I don't know if it's worth naming Rafael van der Vaart at all.
"But if he ever says something positive about a player, I'm willing to take him seriously again.
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"You have the feeling that he sees something, which then has to be expressed in a flowery way and then he goes against it. But it's not that important."