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Former Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley has claimed that Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk has not been criticised enough for his performance this season. While rating the Dutchman's performances, Burley said that all the other players, including the new signings, are being slammed, except the club captain himself.
The former Scotland international believes that while Van Dijk should lead the team, he has made other players scapegoats, especially Milos Kerkez. Burley said (via ESPN UK):
"He does everything wrong, pass, doesn't close it down and turns his back like a coward. I'm fed up with sitting here, and it's 'Mo Salah who's not played well, Florian Wirtz, oh, he can't find his feet, Alexander Isak, Ekitike, the midfield, the dynamics changed.' He's the barometer of what's wrong this year. He's supposed to be the leader."
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"You know, by what he does on the field and how he manipulates the backline and talks to people. All he's done all season is throw Kerkez under the bus, who didn't play. Throws his arms up in the air. He's making as many mistakes as any other player." He added.
Craig Burley thinks that Van Dijk's performances have been surprisingly bad, and he is making as many errors in his game as the other players.
Burley also discussed Van Dijk's performance in Liverpool's 1-1 draw against Sunderland, where the Dutchman's failed pass led to a goal by Chemsdine Talbi in the 67th minute. He said:
"Van Dijk, every game you can watch him and go, 'what's he doing?' You Just... It 's absolutely crazy, and he seems to be getting relatively, coming out of it relatively unscathed, and it's everybody else's fault."
"But for me at the back he has been as bad as anybody else and I think that goal and the way that he refused to close down and the fact that he turned his back is the epitome of his performances this season." he concluded.
Liverpool are currently ninth in the Premier League with 22 points after 14 games. Next up, the Reds will travel to Elland Road to face Leeds United on December 6 before their UEFA Champions League fixture against Inter on December 9.
Liverpool drop out of race to sign Bundesliga star: Reports
Liverpool have opted out of the race to sign Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck, according to German outlet BILD (via Football Espana). Not keen on signing a fresh deal, Schlotterbeck's contract with Dortmund will expire in the summer of 2027.
As a result, Die Schwarzgelben are looking forward to selling the 26-year-old next summer as they want to avoid him leaving for free. The Reds were keen on signing Schlotterbeck in the January transfer window. However, Dortmund are not ready to let the defender leave mid-season.
According to other reports, Liverpool are also interested in Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi. As a result, Barcelona have emerged as the best potential suitor for the 26-year-old Schlotterbeck. La Blaugrana are keen on offloading Andreas Christensen as his contract ends next season.
