Liverpool were not at their best on Sunday as they were beaten in the Community Shield by Crystal Palace.
The Reds had entered the game as heavy favourites to cement their status as Premier League champions and see off the threat of the Eagles.
However, despite a fast start – and a debut goal for Hugo Ekitike – things turned sour for Liverpool and they ultimately lost on penalties.
One of the most alarming points of the day came in the performance of Reds captain Virgil van Dijk.
The Dutchman was far from his best at Wembley, diving in to give away a cheap penalty and stepping out far too early to play Ismaila Sarr onside for Palace’s second goal of the day.
A rare beast in itself, a poor Van Dijk display often leads to bemusement from the Liverpool fanbase, and that was no different on Sunday. However, journalist Beth Lindop put forward an explanation for the captain’s off day which may have plenty of truth to it.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk applauds fans at Wembley Stadium after the 2025 Community Shield
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Virgil van Dijk still recovering from illness
Van Dijk has been so good for so long that he at times feels like a superhuman to Liverpool supporters.
However, the truth is that, like the rest of us, the legendary No. 4 is in fact just a human being, susceptible to the same aches and pains you or I.
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A reminder of that arrived on Monday, when Van Dijk was ruled out of the friendly against Athletic Bilbao through illness.
With the game against Palace arriving just six days later, Lindop says the 34-year-old may have simply been still feeling the effects of the bug.
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“Virgil van Dijk was miles off his usual standard y’day & will know that more than anyone,” the reporter posted on X.
“However, probs worth noting – as referenced in his recent post – he went into the game off the back of an illness that sidelined him earlier in the week. Wouldn’t write him off just yet…”
What did Van Dijk post?
After watching Van Dijk’s uncharacteristically sloppy performance at Wembley, it is easy to believe that he was still feeling a little under the weather.
And the Netherlands international took to Instagram on Monday afternoon to intimate that he is not quite a 100 per cent yet.
“First of all, congratulations to Crystal Palace,” Van Dijk wrote. “Tough to take for us & on a personal level, head down, work and improve!
“It was good to get more minutes out there as I continue to work back to health and fitness.
“Time to focus on what’s ahead now. I can’t wait to be back at Anfield!”