Virgil van Dijk clashed with the press during a Netherlands press conference ahead of his reunion with ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp
Virgil van Dijk during a Netherlands press conference
Virgil van Dijk hit out at "nonsense" during a Netherlands press conference(Image: Voetbalzone)
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Virgil van Dijk butted heads with Dutch media ahead of the Netherlands' clash with JurgenKlopp's Germany. The Liverpool defender was vexed by the suggestion he partly contributed to his country's World Cup elimination.
Reds skipper Van Dijk has jetted off on international duty where the Netherlands will play four matches. The first of these Nations League fixtures is against Germany in Amsterdam, where the centre-back will reunite with his former manager, Klopp. The 35-year-old was coached by Klopp for six-and-a-half years at Anfield, winning seven major honours.
However, in the pre-match press conference ahead of the Thursday evening game, things became rather heated between Van Dijk and the press as the Netherlands' bitter round-of-32 World Cup exit at the hands of Morocco was discussed. Van Dijk's nation drew 1-1 in normal time but were sent home via a 3-2 penalty shootout defeat.
The decision to play with a back five for this tie instead of the usual back four had been a contentious topic in the aftermath of the loss. Van Dijk lashed out at the suggestion that this formation change was his idea and the notion that he had proposed it to then-manager Ronald Koeman, who Xavi has since replaced.
The Liverpool star was asked if he had reflected on the World Cup defeat and what went wrong. Oranje captain Van Dijk took the opportunity to clap back at the "nonsense" regarding his team's losing formation.
Teun Koopmeiners of the Netherlands, Quinten Timber of the Netherlands, Virgil van Dijk of the Netherlands, Justin Kluivert of the Netherlands, Jorrel Hato of the Netherlands, Crysencio Summerville of the Netherlands during the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout phase match between the Netherlands and Morocco at Monterrey Stadium
The 35-year-old's country were eliminated by Morocco in June(Image: Getty)
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"We simply didn't do well enough. That is clear," he said. "One of your colleagues said that it was my idea to play with five players at the back. That is nonsense. We simply failed at the World Cup. Those are the hard facts.
"That is not up to me. I was never the one who came up with that. The plan is devised by the staff. Nonsense is being spread so that I look even worse. That happens far too often. The idea that I destroyed Dutch football makes absolutely no sense."
Van Dijk didn't stop there. He also disputed with other reporters and was asked "Virgil, this is a bit of a chore, isn't it? You're a bit grumpy today. Normally you're a nice guy."
The Dutch defender replied: "Sometimes things need to be said. I can't just listen to that whining all the time."
Coach Xavi Hernandez of Holland, Virgil van Dijk of Holland during the Training MenPress Conference Holland at the KNVB Campus
Van Dijk pulled no punches during the press conference(Image: Getty)
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He added: "This isn't a conversation. You just have to ask a question at the press conference."
After facing Germany, Van Dijk's Netherlands will travel to Belgrade on September 27 to face Serbia. On October 1, they play Greece in Athens, followed by the final match of the international window, a home tie in Rotterdam against Serbia on October 4.