Former Premier League Players Accuse Virgil van Dijk of Arrogance in Liverpool’s Opening Match

The Premier League defending champions were facing off with the new boys in the league. It was the first game of the new season of 2020-21. Fans of the British teams across the globe can watch the Premier League today by streaming live matches online.

Liverpool played out a thrilling 4 – 3 win over Leeds United at Anfield on the opening weekend but Virgil van Dijk was a cause of concern to former players due to an uncharacteristic error. Some pundits questioned whether the Liverpool centre-back’s game is in decline.

Van Dijk’s reliability has been a key factor in Liverpool’s success since he joined the club. He was instrumental in Liverpool’s triumph in both the Champions League and the English Premier League. Contrary to his usual self, the defender’s loose touch led to Leeds scoring an equaliser last week and Jamie Carragher suggested after the game that Van Dijk is arrogant.

Liverpool opened and closed the scoring from the penalty spot. Mohammed Salah scored both goals with the winner coming towards the end of the game. During the match, there were a couple of instances in the first half when Leeds United threatened the Liverpool goal. Jack Harrison made a run behind the Liverpool defence to latch onto a fine pass and score. Although van Dijk got on the score-sheet for Liverpool, it was his error that made the headlines.

Working as a Sky Sports co-commentator, Carragher was furious with Van Dijk when he failed to deal with a long ball over the top and Leeds were gifted an equaliser. The former Liverpool centre-back believed van Dijk should have done much better to prevent the goal and suggested that van Dijk and his team-mates were arrogant against the newly-promoted team. It was certainly complacent play from the Dutchman, but it wasn’t only Van Dijk as Alexander Trent-Arnold was also not at his best.

Comparison with Rio Ferdinand and Vincent Kompany

Another former Premier League player, Gabriel Agbonlahor, also pointed out the arrogance of the Liverpool player. Agbonlahor made comparisons to legendary Premier League centre-backs like John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, and Vincent Kompany, saying they were unplayable during their prime. The former Aston Villa forward claims that Virgil van Dijk is not on the same level as the aforementioned names yet.

Van Dijk is usually rock solid at the back for Liverpool but the Reds looked vulnerable all afternoon against Leeds as the visitors were able to create a number of goal-scoring chances. Marcelo Bielsa’s side scored three times and it could have been more. Unless van Dijk and his defensive team-mates tighten things up at the back, Liverpool may struggle to defend their title this season. It’s obviously still very early days in the 2020/21 campaign but van Dijk’s form needs to improve. And he still has a long way to go before being considered among the best centre-backs in Premier League history.