Liverpool's captain, Virgil van Dijk, was left frustrated with the Netherlands' latest performance despite scoring in a crucial Nations League draw against Greece
Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk during the UEFA Nations League match against Greece
Virgil van Dijk has delivered his verdict on the Netherlands' recent draw against Greece(Image: Photo by STEFAN KOOPS/EYE4IMAGES/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk has pulled no punches in his assessment of the Netherlands' recent draw against Greece.
Xavi's side is currently second in its Nations League group after three games, behind Greece and ahead of Germany and Serbia. So far this international break, the Netherlands has drawn two and won one of its matches.
On Thursday, Van Dijk started the clash with Greece in Thessaloniki, but his side found itself two goals down at halftime. Its opponent had already caused a big upset last time out with a narrow 1-0 victory over Jurgen Klopp's Germany in Augsburg. The Liverpool defender pulled a goal back just shy of the 60-minute mark with a bullet header from a corner kick.
Then, former Manchester City star Tijjani Reijnders scored the all-important equalizer in the closing stages of the game.
It's the second time this international break that the Netherlands has required a last-gasp goal to secure at least a point. The first came in its opening game against Germany, in which Liverpool's Cody Gakpo found the net in stoppage time.
While the Netherlands is yet to suffer a defeat under Xavi, who replaced Ronald Koeman after the World Cup, Van Dijk delivered a scathing assessment of its first-half performance.
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THESSALONIKI, GREECE - OCTOBER 1: Virgil van Dijk of Holland celebrates 2-1 with Joey Veerman of Holland, Ryan Gravenberch of Holland during the UEFA Nations league match between Greece v Holland at the Toumba Stadium on October 1, 2026 in Thessaloniki Greece (Photo by Roy Lazet/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch both played as the Netherlands rescued a draw against Greece(Image: Getty Images)
"The way it went in the first half was unacceptable," he told broadcaster NOS after the game.
"We were outplayed before the break and that simply can’t happen. We showed a lot of good things in the second half, but that has to be there from the start."
The Netherlands will conclude the extended international break on Sunday with a second game against Serbia, this time in Eindhoven.
With Germany set to face Greece once again, it's a huge opportunity for Xavi's side to potentially take control of its group in the event results elsewhere go in its favor.
Then, Van Dijk and fellow Dutch teammates Ryan Gravenberch and Jeremie Frimpong must shift their focus to club football with the return of Premier League action next weekend. Liverpool's first game back will be the highly anticipated visit of Manchester City to Anfield.
Liverpool is yet to lose a game in any competition this term, but its three draws so far against Newcastle, Nottingham Forest and Fulham leave it six points behind current leader City.
Reducing the gap to three points will be crucial if Andoni Iraola's side is to force its way into the title picture.
Then, focus will shift to Champions League action with a trip to take on LASK the following week. Another away clash, this time against Brentford in the Premier League, will follow a few days later.