Virgil van Dijk was far from satisfied with the Netherlands' performance against Serbia despite helping his country secure a crucial Nations League victory
Virgil van Dijk of Netherlands is seen during a UEFA Nations League match
Virgil van Dijk has been critical of his Dutch teammates despite their win over Serbia on Sunday(Image: Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk was critical of his Dutch teammates despite a win over Serbia on Sunday night.
The defender played the entire 90 minutes in Belgrade having also played the entirety of the draw against Germany midweek. On this occasion, the Netherlands initially took the lead in the first half courtesy of a penalty kick from Mexx Meerdink.
Serbia then clinched an equalizer at the start of the second half, but Meerdink was there to restore the visitors' lead with 20 minutes left to play. After Germany's defeat against Greece elsewhere in the group, the victory puts the Netherlands second in the standings with two games played.
However, Van Dijk was still left frustrated with the performance and the lack of a clinical edge in front of goal. The Netherlands' attacking threat was stunted in the first half when Van Dijk's Liverpool teammate Cody Gakpo was forced off with an apparent ankle injury.
"I have a less good feeling than after the last match," Van Dijk told the Dutch media after the full-time whistle. "I think this was a bad game from us.
"We could make it easier for ourselves if we finished the chances, but we aren't doing that and then it can become dangerous. We are allowed to be critical of each other, there is certainly still work to be done."
Xavi's side continues its Nations League campaign with two more games before the international break concludes in mid-October. It will face group leader Greece on Thursday night before the visit of Serbia next Sunday.
Cody Gakpo of Netherlands looks on during a UEFA Nations League match
Cody Gakpo has suffered an injury while in action for the Netherlands(Image: Photo by Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images)
The Netherlands boss, as well as those at Liverpool, will be hoping that Gakpo's injury is not serious. The winger's leg was caught in a tangle following a challenge from Serbia's Sasa Lukic in the first half before he went to ground holding his ankle and had to be substituted minutes later.
Andoni Iraola is already sweating over the fitness of striker Alexander Isak after the Swede withdrew from international duty following his country's win over Romania. Graham Potter confirmed it was due to a minor thigh problem, although it remains to be seen whether he is fit in time for the return of club football.
Liverpool faces rival Manchester City in two weeks' time at Anfield, a game that has certainly increased in significance in recent days following reports of City being handed a guilty verdict on all but one of the 115 charges lodged against it in 2023.
Other Reds in action for their national sides on Sunday included Kostas Tsimikas, who played 90 minutes of Greece's win over Florian Wirtz 's Germany. Lewis Koumas also featured in Wales' defeat to Denmark.