There has been a grim air of delight in the way Virgil van Dijk’s dip in performances for Liverpool has been received this season.
At the top of his trade for so long, the Dutchman has rival fans and pundits desperate to tear down his legacy in order to build up their favourites.
But while there is little question that Van Dijk has been off his game of late, he will be one of Liverpool‘s absolute key figures as they aim to rebuild next season.
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PSG players celebrate after scoring during the Ligue 1 match against Toulouse at the Parc des Princes (Credit: Getty Images/Tnani Badreddine/DeFodi Images).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Tnani Badreddine/DeFodi Images
Van Dijk deserves to be cut some slack
Although the decline of Mohamed Salah has obviously been more stark this season, there have been some who would suggest that Van Dijk’s level has dropped just as sharply.
However, that would be to ignore the fact that he has been holding together a defence which has had little to no protection all season long.
Ibrahima Konate has improved of late, but the Frenchman has delivered some diabolical performances, with Van Dijk essentially playing for two much of the time.
Milos Kerkez has had his struggles to the captain’s left, while right-back has been a revolving door all season. In front of him, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch have looked shadows of their last season selves, while a new goalkeeper has needed to be quickly bedded in as well.
Virgil van Dijk stands with his hands on his hips after Liverpool's FA Cup match against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
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Amid all of that, Van Dijk has generally remained consistent. He is surely allowed a few bad days at the office, and although they have invariably arrived, he has deserved greater help than he has been given.
Van Dijk is a nailed on starter for Liverpool next season
Despite the willingness from some to tear him down, there is no chance that Van Dijk will not be a starter for Liverpool next season.
The Reds have brought in two young centre-halves in Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet, and the veteran defender will play a pivotal role in helping them develop.
Van Dijk has been written off in the past, notably after a difficult 2022/23 campaign, but in that year, like this one, he was victim of Liverpool as a whole playing badly.
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Manchester City v Liverpool - Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
The Netherlands skipper is seemingly a player who thrives on being in the mix for the biggest trophies. It almost feels like once the Premier League title disappears from view, Van Dijk doesn’t quite have the gumption to go at full-tilt.
While it would be nice to see him raise his levels and do a little better in his role as captain of a struggling team, history should tell us that if Liverpool return to their previous levels next season, then Van Dijk will also pick himself back up.
This is the greatest centre-back in Premier League history we are talking about, and if you are writing him off after one slightly iffy campaign, then you better be prepared for him to make you look like a fool in the near future.
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