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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Kwame Boakye

Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk hits out after 'outrageous' Netherlands display

Virgil van Dijk hit out at the Netherlands second-half display during their 2-2 draw with Montenegro in Saturday’s World Cup qualifier.

The Dutch were in complete control thanks to a brace from Memphis Depay.

However, Ilija Vukotic pulled a goal back on his international debut and Nikola Vujnovic struck in the 86th minute to snatch a draw for the hosts.

A win would have seen the Dutch qualify for the World Cup in Qatar next year, but their hopes of reaching the finals are still in the balance.

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"The way we played in the second half was just outrageous," the Liverpool defender told Dutch broadcaster NOS.

"We always want to have the ball, we all want to play football, attack and score.

"But football is also knowing how to defend.

"That's what we haven't done tonight. Our organisation was just awful. We should have qualified here."

The Netherlands still sit atop Group G but are now just two points clear of Turkey, who thrashed Gibraltar 6-0 on Saturday.

The Dutch will host Norway in the final group game on Tuesday, with the Turks travelling to Montenegro.

"With all due respect to Montenegro, we should have won, certainly after taking a two-goal lead," added Van Dijk.

"Now we will play against Norway on Tuesday in an empty stadium (due to Covid-19 restrictions).

"We must be much better than tonight."

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