Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk has been singled out for heavy criticism, late on Sunday evening.
This comes owing to his latest exploits on the international stage.
For those not aware, van Dijk, and the Netherlands, were back in action a short time ago.
After being put to the sword by Croatia in the semi-finals of the Nations League, Ronald Koeman’s troops set about restoring some pride, in a 3rd-place playoff with Italy.
When all was said and done in Enschede, however, the Oranje were condemned to a 2nd successive defeat.
A pulsating 90 minutes at the De Grolsch Veste ultimately culminated in Italy emerging on the right side of a 3-2 scoreline.
In the midst of a whole host of post-match criticism, though, no member of Ronald Koeman’s squad has been singled out for more widespread condemnation than the aforementioned Virgil van Dijk.
After the experienced stopper failed miserably in efforts to prevent Federico Chiesa from putting Italy two goals to the good inside the closing 20 minutes, he has been targeted by fans, ex-players, and pundits alike.
Weg spanning, Italië komt op 1-3 door een doelpunt van Chiesa. pic.twitter.com/6EFEfjscPt
— NOS Sport (@NOSsport) June 18, 2023
One such individual comes in the form of fellow countryman Rafael Van der Vaart, who accused Van Dijk of essentially ‘doing nothing’ to prevent Chiesa from finding the net:
Van der Vaart: “Virgil van Dijk is being critized and rightly so. For 20 minutes I thought: he is back, but that moment with Chiesa.. he is basically doing nothing.” pic.twitter.com/nFniqtuQMd
— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) June 18, 2023
Dutch outlet NOS, meanwhile, too revealed their frustrations with VVD, for making it ‘easy’ for Italy’s gifted wide-man:
🗣️ – “Well, it’s easy for Chiesa to score when Van Dijk prefers to keep a few metres distance.” [@NOS] pic.twitter.com/z1FXOTg45r
— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) June 18, 2023
Van Dijk might just be finished.
Bro’s playing like all the lights on the dashboard are flashing 🪩 pic.twitter.com/5zQ4waLwms
— Kaz (@kazidris) June 18, 2023
What was Van Dijk doing there????😭😭 pic.twitter.com/i80CiWEUoB
— 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞ᕓ (@s_pencelx) June 18, 2023
Did you guys see Van Dijk’s defending for Chiesa’s goal? Nahhh too too suss
— Faysal (@elfayz_) June 18, 2023
Van dijk is hilarious look at the space he gives chiesa. Aura defending doesn’t work in 2023 anymore big bro pic.twitter.com/NauJ0lzG5S
— Chuck Bass (@LeeFussballV2) June 18, 2023
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