Van Dijk has already had his say on criticism after Rio Ferdinand's remarks

11 April 2023 , 07:49

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Van Dijk has already had his say on criticism after Rio Ferdinand's remarks

Virgil van Dijk has already addressed punditry discourse surrounding his form once already this season as Rio Ferdinand and Jamie Carragher debate the Dutchman.

Ferdinand is the latest to have his say on the debate surrounding who is the superior defender between current Liverpool ace Van Dijk and former Manchester United man Nemanja Vidic.

An old team-mate of Vidic's, Ferdinand was quick to offer his support and insist that the supposed flaws in the Serbian's game have been turned into 'a bit of a myth'. The debate first started after Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher publicly defended Van Dijk following his display against Arsenal on Sunday.

Carragher insisted that the Dutchman was still 'miles' better than Vidic, but not everyone is so sure. Four years ago, Van Dijk was a Ballon d'Or runner-up but has had lengthier periods since where, after a serious knee injury, he has looked well below the standards he set earlier on in his Anfield stay.

He hardly covered himself in glory against the Gunners last time out, with Van Dijk having a big part to play in both of Arsenal's goals. He clears the ball directly into the path of Gabriel Martinelli for the opener, before failing to deal with Gabriel Jesus for the second.

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Carragher is of the belief that Van Dijk is simply having an off-season, much like he claims both Vidic and Ferdinand endured at one point in their respective careers, he adds that the Liverpool stalwart has been the best player in the Premier League over the last four years alongside Kevin De Bruyne.

Ferdinand dissected the Dutchman's form and explained what Van Dijk must do to return to his usual level.

HAVE YOUR SAY! Who is the better defender - Van Dijk or Vidic? Comment below

Rio Ferdinand has analysed Virgil van Dijk's form this season (BT Sport)

"Liverpool’s defending… I don’t know what I’m seeing at the moment! I can’t get my head around it. Van Dijk has been the best defender in the world arguably for the last couple of years. He looks a shadow of himself,’ said Ferdinand on his Vibe with FIVE YouTube show.

"He’s lost form, obviously. He said that in a [social media] post after the game that personally and collectively [Liverpool] have lost form, not playing the way they normally would. And that’s fine, that’s fair.

"Him, Trent [Alexander-Arnold] they’ve just got to get back to basics. The way you get out of a rut like that is to just get back to basics."

Ferdinand went on to address Van Dijk's recent run of games, adding: "I don’t know why Vidic’s name was thrown in there. People are hammering Virgil van Dijk about his performances this season, he’s had a bit of an off season – which he has, and I think he’d admit that."

For all the back and forth, it is unlikely Van Dijk is taking much of it on board. The Reds star has already responded to pundit backlash this term after Dutch legend Marco van Basten accused him of 'creating chaos'.

It was within Van Dijk's reply that we can see what the defender thinks of the analysis of his season so far.

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has been the subject of huge debate this season (CBS Sports)

"Everyone is allowed to have their own opinion these days, that's the case," he told Ziggo Sport. "[But] did I set the bar unrealistically high? How is that possible? It was never perfect – constant is the right word. We've had a lot of success with the team. Football players, they know that better than anyone, have high peaks and deep valley.

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"It's quite normal that you can't always play consistently. That you have a phase as a club or player where you are looking for your level. People should not forget that.

"It is normal that people make mistakes, that it is part of football and that it is very human. Regardless of who gets a platform and is allowed to say what, so that things are made big."

Josh O'Brien