Jurgen Klopp is dealing with a new problem: Liverpool’s star is ‘overrated’ and may need to be replaced.

Jurgen Klopp
Jurgen Klopp

This summer, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp may face an unexpected problem

Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool is “overrated,” according to ex-Chelsea defender Jason Cundy, and is unfit to fill the shoes of John Terry or Rio Ferdinand. Jurgen Klopp now faces a new question about whether the Dutchman is in his long-term plans.

Virgil van Dijk and Roberto Firmino
Virgil van Dijk and Roberto Firmino

Van Dijk has gotten more criticism this season than in any of his prior Liverpool campaigns. The Reds are having a bad season overall and are unlikely to win any big awards.

Van Dijk has been available to Klopp for the majority of the season. He hasn’t always had a dependable teammate, with Joel Matip, Ibrahima Konate, and Joe Gomez all dealing with their own issues.


Van Dijk has frequently been a player on whom Klopp could rely, but that has not been the case this season. He turns 32 in the summer, and Klopp may be forced to ponder the unthinkable: finding a replacement.

Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk

Liverpool’s most recent setback was a 1-0 loss against Bournemouth on Saturday. Van Dijk has drawn criticism for his role in Philip Billing’s goal.

Cundy believes it was a common error that went overlooked early in Van Dijk’s career. According to the pundit on talkSPORT: “Personally, I believe he is overrated. I believe there is a lot of media love for what Van Dijk has done.

“There’s no doubt he’s a fantastic centre-half, but he makes far too many errors, which I believe go overlooked. There was a goal they conceded when they were eliminated from the Champions League a couple of seasons ago, and he has this lazy running style.

Graeme Souness
Graeme Souness

“He appears to be biding his time, but he does not respond. He was dragging [Dominic] Solanke down. Even though he’s on the other side, that’s bad center-half play. I believe he’s had a fantastic 18 months, despite the fact that the injury has had an impact.

“But, Billing’s goal was not about the injury. I’m not sure what it is, but once [Solanke] gets away from him on the right side, he [Van Dijk] appears to come to a halt and misunderstand the position.”

Jurgen Klopp
Jurgen Klopp

Van Dijk is widely regarded as one of the top Premier League defenders of all time. Cundy, on the other hand, believes the 31-year-old is nowhere near the level of a couple of the league’s greats.

“People compare him to John Terry and Rio Ferdinand, but he’s not in the same category – he can’t lace their boots,” he continued.



Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*