Virgil van Dijk cut a deeply frustrated figure after turning in a poor performance during Liverpool’s FA Cup defeat against Manchester City on Saturday.
The Reds’ captain was central to the moment which changed the game at the Etihad Stadium, clumsily fouling Nico O’Reilly to hand City a penalty.
From there, Van Dijk stumbled through the rest of the match on autopilot, and having watched him speaking to the cameras at full-time, Liverpool legend Steve Nicol says the Dutchman simply looks like he’s running out of energy.
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Manchester City v Liverpool - Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Van Dijk has ‘had the life sucked out of him’
As captain, Van Dijk has fronted up more than any other player during what has been a dismal season for Liverpool.
However, the 34-year-old has taken some criticism for failing to rally his troops, and having been presented with his post-match reaction on ESPN, Nicol says Van Dijk just looks shattered.
“I think you can see with that interview that your captain is devoid of energy,” said the pundit.
“The life’s been sucked out of him and right now this team is sucking the life out of the fans as well.”
Virgil van Dijk greets Arne Slot after Liverpool's FA Cup match against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
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Nicol went on to say that he no longer believes Arne Slot is the man to rejuvenate Liverpool, with players and fans ‘scared’ whenever the team takes to the field.
“I’m beginning to waver, I’m beginning to go the other way,” he said. “I don’t know how Arne Slot can rejuvenate this side between now and Wednesday night to play PSG.
“He really has a job on his hands, not just to get this team going but to keep his job because it’s getting worse.
“Every time they step on the field, as a fan watching it you’re scared because you’re not sure how many it’s going to be. You know there’s going to be goals, you’re just not sure how many. And for any manager to be in that position where everybody and everyone around you is beginning to lose trust in you, you’re in big trouble.”
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