Photo by Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
Photo by Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
A graphic showing Joe Cole's quotes on Andoni Iraola reading: "I feel for Andoni. He's the right man, but it could be the wrong time.” Image shows Liverpool FC manager Andoni Iraola.
Credit: Photo by Shaun Brooks – CameraSport via Getty Images
Liverpool and Alex Scott January transfer details emerge, including 'two other options'
Liverpool and Alex Scott January transfer details emerge, including 'two other options'
Michael Owen hits the nail on the head as he delivers his verdict on Liverpool's Lewis Koumas
Michael Owen hits the nail on the head as he delivers his verdict on Liverpool's Lewis Koumas
Italian journalist explains Andy Diouf transfer situation amid Liverpool, Barcelona and PSG interest
Italian journalist explains Andy Diouf transfer situation amid Liverpool, Barcelona and PSG interest
Joe Cole comes to a sad conclusion about Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool after Man City loss
Joe Cole comes to a sad conclusion about Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool after Man City loss
Liverpool fans will appreciate what Paul Scholes had to say about Lewis Koumas despite Man City loss
Liverpool fans will appreciate what Paul Scholes had to say about Lewis Koumas despite Man City loss
Photo by Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
Photo by Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images
Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images
Photo by Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images
Photo by Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Speaking on The Dressing Room Podcast, Cole questioned Virgil van Dijk and feels the Liverpool captain is now past it in the famous red colours.
Cole stated ‘time waits for no man’, as he sadly suggested that van Dijk is ‘not quite at the level’ he was once, even just 18 months ago, and he thinks the start of the 26/27 campaign is proving that.
READ MORE:Liverpool fans divided over what they saw after Ryan Gravenberch’s Man City red card
Do you agree with Toni Kroos’ ranking of Virgil van Dijk, or should he be higher/lower?
Virgil van Dijk for Liverpool
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
james.brooke
Gotta be ahead of Thiago Silva, come on. Will accept him being third, but I do think if he played for Real/Barca for as long as he’s played for Liverpool he would be pretty undisputed at number one. Lucky to have watched him for so long, absolutely immaculate and in my opinion the best CB ever
james.brooke
Never thought he really deserved it to he honest. VVD should’ve had one in 2019 anyway!
Joe Cole thinks Virgil van Dijk is now past it at Liverpool
It doesn’t help van Dijk that there have been so many changes to Liverpool’s backline, not forgetting that the midfield declined last season under Arne Slot.
Added to that, Alisson Becker can’t stay fit for a whole season, so you also lose that stability and calming voice from behind you.
As a result, van Dijk has had to play alongside Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez, Jeremy Jacquet, Andy Robertson, Milo Kerkez, Kostas Tsimikas, Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Ronald Araújo in recent times.
All while the ice-cool Dutchman tries to perform at his very best, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that the lack of consistency, quality and stability has resulted in people questioning his form.
But for Cole, he feels that Liverpool have been getting ‘pulled around all season’, and he doesn’t think van Dijk is now able to stop those issues.
What was also interesting from Cole is that he thinks Iraola is the ‘right man’ for the Reds, but perhaps he has joined at the ‘wrong time’ following Slot’s summer exit.
“I think they are off it,” said Cole about Liverpool this season. “I feel for Andoni (Iraola). He’s the right man, but it could be the wrong time.
“There is a lot that needs to be done. There are a lot of mistakes that have been made, certainly for the past year, in terms of letting people go. Letting Trent go.
“I think with Virgil as well, as much as I think he’s been a incredible footballer, an amazing talent; time waits for no man.
“I’m looking at him with my eyes and thinking, ‘He’s not quite at the level he was’, coupled with the fact their back four’s been decimated in the last two years. I just think there’s I’m not saying he’s the problem, but they need to just sort it out. They are getting pulled around all season for me.”