Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk received 5.5/10 from Voetbalzone and 6/10 from two other Dutch outlets after the Netherlands beat Serbia 2-1 in the Nations League.
Virgil van Dijk was criticized for his performance
Virgil van Dijk was criticized for his performance(Image: Getty )
The Dutch media have criticized Virgil van Dijk's most recent Nations League display for the Netherlands. The Oranje secured their first victory under Xavi Hernández on Sunday against Serbia, following the hard-fought 1-1 stalemate with Germany earlier in the week.
In Belgrade, they controlled the match in terms of possession and attempts on goal, but lacked the cutting edge required and the contest proved far tighter than it ought to have been. Mexx Meerdink emerged as the match-winner in only his second international appearance, with his 30th-minute and 69th-minute strikes sandwiching Luka Jović's equaliser immediately after the interval.
The 23-year-old converted a spot-kick and demonstrated his predatory instincts by capitalising on a perfectly weighted through ball from Guus Til, drilling a low shot beyond Vanja Milinković-Savić. Nevertheless, Netherlands skipper Van Dijk remained visibly disappointed following the final whistle.
"A less good feeling than after the last match, I think this was a poor game from us," said the veteran defender. "We could make it easier for ourselves if we finished the chances, but we aren't doing that and then it can become dangerous."
Van Dijk, who faced accusations from the Dutch press of failing to match the tempo against Germany, once again found himself in the firing line across the back pages. Voetbal International awarded the Liverpool captain a 6/10 match rating, reports the Liverpool Echo.
They stated: "The fact that Verbruggen had to spring into action was sometimes also due to hesitant play by the Oranje defense. Jan Paul van Hecke, Virgil van Dijk, and Micky van de Ven therefore receive a six."
Voetbalzone delivered an even harsher assessment, noting: "Virgil van Dijk struggled against Serbia and is rated a 5.5. The slow pace of play from the Netherlands and the Serbs' quick counter-attacks meant the captain did not always look comfortable. Just like against Germany, Van Dijk remains stuck at a 5.5."
Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk
Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk(Image: Getty )
VoetbalPrimeur awarded the 35-year-old a 6/10, commenting: "Van Dijk was barely tested defensively, although the Netherlands started dramatically after the break. In the build-up, he made one quick opening that resulted in a small chance for Meerdink, but the Dutch defenders could have taken a bit more initiative here."
The publication proved equally unforgiving towards Van Dijk's Reds colleague Ryan Gravenberch, handing the midfielder a 5.5/10 rating. They observed: "Gravenberch has lost his starting place at Liverpool and he doesn't seem to be in his best form for the Dutch national team either.
"The former Ajax player did try, but played a bit timidly and was nowhere near as dominant as we know him to be. Too little came from the attacking midfielders."
The match proved an even greater setback for Liverpool's third representative selected for the Netherlands during the international break - Cody Gakpo - who was forced off through injury after just over a quarter of an hour played.