Liverpool is in crisis. After an almost complete campaign in which they fought for the four titles, winning the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup and losing the Premier League and Champions in the last game, the “Reds” achieved this victory in the English Premier League.
They lost twice as many matches (four) in 12 days than in the entire 2021-22 period (two). They are ninth, 15 points off the lead (with one game less) and eight points off the Champions League zone after a start in which they were torn in defence. This is van dick.
“I think I can do much better. If criticism focuses on me? It always will be like that, it’s good and bad football. I still think I need to improve and the only way to do that is to play, learn from mistakes and not listen too much to the outside world,” the Netherlands centre-back admitted in September.
After more than a month, The 2019 Silver Ball, hailed by critics as the best center back in the world for his impressive performances and regularity, turned out to be a killer. The defender whose signature in 2018 changed Liverpool’s history under Klopp, who hardened at the back and won the Champions (2019) and Premier League (2020) titles with football at full capacity, is not enough.
Two consecutive losses and problems behind them
Paul scored his second consecutive defeat in the Premier League against Leeds (1-2). A stumble at Anfield ended Van Dijk’s record of 70 unbeaten matches in the Premier League! The Dutchman was a thoroughbred at home in the British Championship until the Whites kicked them out.
Van Dijk is 10 out of 10 as a central defender in just about everything. The only thing is that I sometimes think that he lacks a bit of strength at certain times and just throws himself on the ground
Additionally, he appeared in the photos of the two visiting targets. Joe Gomez, who had gone nothing in the area for Rodrygo to score for an empty goal, surprised him and did not enter Summerville with a 1-2. “We cannot defend a second goal like that,” Klopp said in his resignation. The winger had previously been criticized by both Carragher and Milner, who criticized him midway through the match against United for not coming out to pressure Sancho 1-0.
“Van Dijk is 10 out of 10 as a central defender in just about everything. The only thing is that I sometimes think that he lacks a bit of strength at certain times and just throws himself on the ground. “I know it’s tough for a defender to stand up, but sometimes you have to jump and make yourself bigger,” said the former “pool” player. “It’s funny because there are a lot of exes who know exactly what we’ve been through, but they say a lot about trying to depress us,” VD replied.
The numbers show that Van Dijk is recovering roughly (8.78 balls on average per game this year and 8.68 in 2021-22) but less in the opposing field (0.76 current ball vs. 1.29 last). He loses more balls in total (3.03 per 2.31), in the half of the field of play (0.61 per 0.44) and many of them end up in the opponent’s shot in less than 20 seconds (0.91 per 0.52). However, he intercepts more (6.59 times 5.82) and performs more defensive actions (15.06 times 13.96) and more successfully (13.32 times 12.31). Dutch work piles up. Liverpool have fallen behind globally in the Premier League: they shoot more, endure more, lose more, intercept less… [ver grfico]
defense dance
Injuries “shattered” the “red” wall. Eight times Van Dijk was behind with Joe Gomez in the Premier League, three with Matip and one with Phillips. The dance of couples due to the diseases of the Cameroonian and Konat, who played only 21 minutes in the league, along with the slack and physical problems of Alexander-Arnold and Robertson, made him unprotected. The billiards net went from an average of 0.7 goals per game last season to 1.2 points. Crystal Palace, Fulham, Forest … they took a “chip” against some weak “reds”.
I think I can do much better. Are critics focusing on me? It always will be like that, it’s good and bad football. I keep thinking I need to improve and the only way to do that is to play and learn from mistakes and not listen too much to the outside world.
“I just try to keep consistency in my game. That’s the most important thing: finding consistency and enjoying it. Doing my best to return to the highest level”, he pointed out to the central defender, his successive defeats (Forrest (1-0) and Leeds (1-2) cut his castle, and his goalkeeper cannot block all attacks.
English Premier League (J14): Summary and goals for Liverpool 1-2 Leeds United
Already on opening day against Fulham He was bounced for the first time in the English Premier League .. committing his first penalty kick in the English Premier League! Mitrovic took both his marks. Madness after five “full” years in which his absence was a “drama”.
I just try to maintain consistency in my game. This is the most important thing: find consistency and enjoy it. Doing my best to return to the highest level
in 2020-21, The ‘Reds’ cracked without Van Dijk, who missed almost the entire session after a serious knee injury. They struggled to finish fourth at the top… and now it looks like they’re going to have to sweat to get into the Champions League. “He’s back to his best, he makes us even better,” Klopp said after returning last season. Now, The Pool needs its own superhero.
