Virgil van Dijk is not the same player he once was according to talkSPORT’s Jason Cundy.
The Dutchman has been recognized as one of the best central defenders in the world in recent seasons, but he has started the new campaign slowly for Liverpool as Jurgen Klopp’s side struggle to reach the levels of last term.
The Reds have kept just three clean sheets so far (in all competitions) and welcome Manchester City to Anfield on Sunday in what is another serious test for the FA Cup holders.
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Trent Alexander-Arnold has come under fire in recent weeks for some of his defensive performances, but Cundy explained that the Liverpool Academy graduate is an “easy target” and that the focus should be on the Reds’ number 4.
The TalkSPORT hosts sympathized with the Dutchman and suggested that the Netherlands captain has not been the same since suffering a serious knee injury in 2020.
Although van Dijk seemed to be back in his prime from last term, there is no doubt that his start to the new campaign has been a slow one.
We certainly think it’s just a minor issue for the 31-year-old at the moment and he’ll soon be back performing to his usual high standards.
How good would it be to see him keep Erling Haaland quiet on Sunday?
Watch Cundy talk about the former Southampton defender below via @talkSPORT on Twitter:
???? “I really feel sorry for Van Dijk…”
???? “But you can see that he is not the same player he was. Something change.
???? “Right now, he’s nowhere near the player he was.”
Jason Cundy thinks Virgil van Dijk’s injury has changed his ability ???? pic.twitter.com/cfrzThwnba
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) October 13, 2022
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