Liverpool have not enjoyed a particularly good season. After winning the Premier League last term, they've put up a frail defence of their title in 2025/26.
Indeed, with seven league games to play, the Reds are fifth, five points behind Aston Villa in fourth. Champions League football is far from secure, and the same can be said of manager Arne Slot.
Fans of Dutch football may be keeping a wary eye on Liverpool amid their inconsistent form. After all, four Anfield stars will hope to shine for the Netherlands this summer at the 2026 World Cup.
Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, Ryan Gravenberch and Jeremie Frimpong all play for both the same club and international team, but the treatment of one man in particular has upset a Dutch pundit. Former defender Hans Kraay Jr, who played for a number of teams in the Netherlands across his career, has slammed the English media over their treatment of Liverpool's captain.
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Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk
Van Dijk was key for the Netherlands as they picked up a narrow 2-1 win over Norway in their first friendly this month, scoring the equaliser.
He then also played in the 1-1 draw against Ecuador, helping his side avoid a defeat despite being down to 10 men after Denzel Dumfries' 12th minure red card.
Following these displays, Kraay Jr has rushed to Van Dijk's defence, questioning the negativity coming from England this season over the defender's performances. Baffled by a change in perception towards the 34-year-old, he said (via Goal):
“In England, the analysts, columnists, and the self-proclaimed know-it-alls have completely lost their minds.
“After four league matches this season, Van Dijk was dubbed the very best central defender ever in the Premier League. Four games later, and two Arne Slot defeats further along, it was more or less over for Virgil. In short: Virgil van Dijk’s career was almost over."
On his efforts vs Norway, which included a goal, Kraay Jr said of the Liverpool captain: “I thought Virgil van Dijk was sovereign. With another few lovely cross balls, like the ones he delivers to Mohamed Salah at Liverpool. Van Dijk scored an incredibly beautiful header; from a corner taken by our Teun, he hung in the air for a minute or two. The ball also ended up somewhat behind him, but what a magnificent header.”
What Does Van Dijk's Future Hold?
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring their second goal with Virgil van Dijk
Now 34, Van Dijk has won two Premier League titles, but it will be interesting to see how much longer he remains at Anfield. Having just seen Mohamed Salah reveal he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season, the defender will surely be considering his own future.
Last April, the centre-back signed a mammoth new £350k-p/w deal, which is set to run until the summer of 2027, but it's hard to imagine he'll get a similar offer when it's time to renew. Of course, Van Dijk is one of the greatest Premier League defenders of all time, but he won't be able to stay at his peak forever.
That said, having played 45 times in all competitions this season, he's shown he's still more than capable of delivering consistent displays at the highest level. It will be interesting to see how he performs in the remainder of 2025/26, as well as then at the World Cup this summer.