Virgil van Dijk seems completely old again. The central defender of Liverpool, who had to miss the European championship with the the Dutch due to a serious knee injury, is working on an impressive series with his club and is still fully involved in the battle for the title. In an extensive interview in the Daily Mail Van Dijk looks back at the criticism he received after Antoine Griezmann’s goal in the Champions League.
Van Dijk was accused of being too nonchalant in October last year when Griezmann scored Atlético Madrid in the group stage of the Champions League. Liverpool would eventually win the game 2-3, but Van Dijk was ASH a 0 as a score. The center defender was too nonchalant, the fans judged. Critics argued that the Dutchman would never return to his old level. Even after the league match against Brighton and Hove Albion, he received considerable criticism a week and a half later.
“Sometimes I feel that I am underestimated,” said Van Dijk. “People act as if nothing has happened and that everything is normal. It is not very normal to be able to play so many matches after such an injury and to reach the old level. It is not that I am insecure and need recognition It’s not at all. But I was looking forward to coming back after my injury and playing a lot of games again. Playing three games a week at this level is pretty good and it shouldn’t be overlooked And it’s been overlooked in my eyes.”
“I also read the messages after Griezmann’s goal,” Van Dijk continues. “I know I could have done better. In every game there are times when you could have handled better. The injury wasn’t the problem. I’m my biggest critic myself and I always know when I’m doing things right and when I’m not. People said, ‘He will not return to his desired level.’ When I played another good game after that, they said, ‘He’s back at his best.’ There was nothing in between. Those things were definitely in my head at times. You doubt whether you will come back to your old level. That is very normal.”
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