Van Dijk ruthlessly mocked and called 'an ice skater' by Dutch legend Gullit
Dutch legend Ruud Gullit has mocked Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk as being more suited to ice-skating than football.
In an astonishing assessment of the £75million centre-back on TV, the 1987 Ballon d’Or winner reckons Van Dijk’s current style is more suited to the rink than Anfield.
Gullit was scathing of the 31-year-old Kop star after Liverpool were humbled 5-2 by Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Gullit said: “Van Dijk puts his hands behind his back like a speed-skater and he bends his knees like speed-skaters do.
“His body is leaning forward. He kind of kneels down in his moves and only has his hands behind his back so he avoids a handball when the striker shoots.
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“That, for me, is too easy - and it looks clumsy.”
Gullit believes Van Dijk has lost some of his aggression after a spell sidelined by a hamstring injury.
He added: “When Van Dijk came back after his injury he was defending without aggression. It was passive.
“He stands there like a skater, defending and blocking a bit. He just does not go full on.
Van Dijk endured a torrid night against Real Madrid (Getty Images)“Of course, every player can have a bit of a less brilliant period.’
“But Van Dijk has to be the leader. If the defence is not going well then that is his responsibility.”
Gullit feels Liverpool will continue to struggle until their No 1 defender scales the heights once again.
He said: “Van Dijk must take much more initiative at the back.
“Everyone looks up to him. He has a massive status. But right now is the time that he shows leadership to those around him and in that Liverpool squad.
“It is chaos in the Liverpool team. I almost feel sorry for Jurgen Klopp.
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“The whole squad is one drama and I think it was a mistake to let Sadio Mane go.
“But that is Liverpool’s own fault. They gave Mo Salah a big, fat new contract and that money was not available for Mane. So he said ‘I am gone then'."
Gullit added: "Van Dijk is a great player, one of the best defenders in the world.
“With Joe Gomez next to him, he does not have the greatest of partners right now.
“But when you concede goals like they did against Real Madrid it is time to get your act together.”
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