Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk had an accident with is wife and kids,wife and two kids confirmed dead, Virgil survived

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk had an accident with is wife and kids,wife and two kids confirmed dead, Virgil survived

arguably one of the greatest defenders to ever play, but in his home country, not everyone holds him in such high regard.

Van Dijk is also skipper of the Netherlands and has 64 appearances for his nation across nearly nine years.

Having proved himself as the world’s best defender, you would think he’d be held in high esteem back home.

This isn’t necessarily the case, though, with journalists and notable ex-players, including Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit, taking aim at the Dutchman – especially last season when he was underperforming.

The latter once even told Ziggo Sport that Van Dijk “thinks he’s better than the rest.”

Former Liverpool goalkeeper Sander Westerveld, who earned six Netherlands caps, has lamented the attitude and questioned why some have been so critical.

He told This Is Anfield: “We have a tendency in Holland like, if you saw the documentary about Beckham for example, I think in England it’s sort of similar.

“It’s like a really strange mentality and it’s also like why we don’t have legends games.

“I think the way they treat legends in England and in Spain is so much different than in Holland. In Holland, I always said the people are negative, jealous, so yeah.”

Westerveld went on to name several former players, including Mark van Bommel and Frank Rijkaard, explaining how “when they came back to Holland after a great career and played for PSV or Ajax, they’re getting criticised, being old.”

Nov. 2000: Liverpool goalkeeper Sander Westerveld prepares to kick the ball (Neal Simpson/EMPICS Sport)

“Even Henderson now, they still criticise him after one game, like ‘uh, he’s too old’. That’s just the way people think in Holland, or especially the media,” the 49-year-old continued.

“Fortunately Van Dijk doesn’t care so he’s just playing his game. With the national team it’s different so they love him. The people love him, but the media is always criticising everybody.

“If he has one bad game then he is too old, that’s how they think in Holland. Shortsighted I think we call them.”

During Liverpool’s post-League Cup final celebrations against Chelsea, Van Dijk said to the camera: “They thought I was finished.”

Less than six months ago, pundit Johan Derksen said Van Dijk was “on his last legs” – how wrong he was.

DOHA, QATAR – Saturday, December 3, 2022: Netherlands’ Virgil van Dijk during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between Netherlands and USA at the Khalifa International Stadium. Netherlands won 3-1. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
It seems Liverpool’s defender isn’t alone in being castigated in parts of the press. It hasn’t just been the media either, who have been critical of Liverpool’s Dutch players.

After signing for the Reds at the end of the summer transfer window, Ryan Gravenberch opted to stay on Merseyside and get acquainted with his new surroundings instead of going on a short training camp with the Netherlands U21s.

This brought anger from senior manager Ronald Koeman, who said: “We are not happy with [him] refusing to play for his country.”

Best sticking to Liverpool, boys.

Former Players, Sander Westerveld, Virgil van Dijk
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Liverpool star hailed for his ‘enormous quality’ after brilliant 17-minute cameo for his country

A number of Liverpool players have flown out to represent their countries.

The international break is a really annoying period for fans of domestic football, but this gives players an opportunity to show their class in their national team’s colours.

The Euros are coming up this summer, as is the Copa America, and players who will participate in those tournaments will be dreaming of winning it.

Liverpool have a decent-sized South American contingent in their squad, and a number of their players will battle it out to win the Copa America this summer.

Alexis Mac Allister’s Argentina may just be the favourites.

Liverpool player impresses on international duty
Liverpool are one of the best teams in the world, and they have plenty of top-quality international players in their squad.

Many of them have been called up by their respective national teams for this international break, and Liverpool fans are hoping everyone stays away from injuries.

When Argentina took on El Salvador in a friendly on Friday night, Lionel Scaloni decided against using Alexis Mac Allister from the start, which was a surprise.

However, the Liverpool man was brought on for the final 17 minutes of the game, and his little cameo seems to have impressed Argentine media outlet TyC Sports.

In their player ratings after the 3-0 win, Mac Allister was handed 6/10 for his 17-minute cameo, but he was given a glowing review.

“A handful of minutes was enough to enjoy his enormous quality,” the outlet wrote.

Liverpool star hailed for his ‘enormous quality’ after brilliant 17-minute cameo for his countryPhoto by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
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Liverpool star hailed for his ‘enormous quality’ after brilliant 17-minute cameo for his country
Shamanth Jayaram
Shamanth Jayaram
Sat 23 March 2024 7:45, UK
A number of Liverpool players have flown out to represent their countries.

The international break is a really annoying period for fans of domestic football, but this gives players an opportunity to show their class in their national team’s colours.

The Euros are coming up this summer, as is the Copa America, and players who will participate in those tournaments will be dreaming of winning it.

Liverpool have a decent-sized South American contingent in their squad, and a number of their players will battle it out to win the Copa America this summer.

Alexis Mac Allister’s Argentina may just be the favourites.

Liverpool Alexis Mac Allister Argentina
Photo by Daniel Jayo/Getty Images
Liverpool player impresses on international duty
Liverpool are one of the best teams in the world, and they have plenty of top-quality international players in their squad.

Many of them have been called up by their respective national teams for this international break, and Liverpool fans are hoping everyone stays away from injuries.

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When Argentina took on El Salvador in a friendly on Friday night, Lionel Scaloni decided against using Alexis Mac Allister from the start, which was a surprise.

However, the Liverpool man was brought on for the final 17 minutes of the game, and his little cameo seems to have impressed Argentine media outlet TyC Sports.

In their player ratings after the 3-0 win, Mac Allister was handed 6/10 for his 17-minute cameo, but he was given a glowing review.

“A handful of minutes was enough to enjoy his enormous quality,” the outlet wrote.

View Instagram Post
Alexis Mac Allister’s impressive stats for Argentina vs El Salvador
Liverpool fans would’ve loved the fact that Alexis Mac Allister did not start against El Salvador. He deserved a break.

The midfielder, hailed as ‘incredible’ by Wataru Endo, was brought on in the 73rd minute of the game on Friday night, when Argentina were already 3-0 up. The game was done at that stage.

However, Mac Allister’s stats show why TyC Sports were so impressed with his performance.

In just 17 minutes on the pitch, the Argentine had 32 touches of the ball and completed 24 of his 26 attempted passes, maintaining a brilliant 92 per cent passing accuracy. Mac Allister also registered two key passes, made a tackle and won three of his five duels. (SofaScore)

Those are solid numbers for someone who was only on the pitch for 17 minutes.