Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk hit back after coming under further criticism from Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullitt and Gertjan Verbeek over his role as Holland captain.
The Reds centre-back has seen his form suffer during a dismal campaign for Jurgen Klopp's side as they look to salvage a place in next season's Champions League campaign in their next 12 Premier League games. Van Dijk's time on the pitch this season hasn't been perfect as he was forced to spend an extended spell on the sidelines following a hamstring injury.
Following their 3-0 win over Gibraltar, the Champions League and Premier League-winning defender hit back at claims from the two Dutch icons.
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As quoted by Voetbal International, in response to the heroes of the 1988 European Championships final, he argued: "This is of no use to me. Everyone is allowed to have their own opinion these days, that’s the case.
"Did I set the bar unrealistically high? How is that possible? It was never perfect, consistent is the right word. We’ve had a lot of success with the team. Football players, they know that better than anyone, have high peaks and deep lows.
"It’s quite normal that you can’t always play consistently. That you have a phase as a club or player where you are looking for your level. People should not forget that.
"It is normal that people make mistakes, that it is part of football and that it is very human. Regardless of who gets a platform and is allowed to say what, so that things are made big. You know better than anyone when you are doing something right or not."
Dutch legend Van Basten hasn't been shy to criticise the Liverpool defender in recent months, taking aim as recently as during the World Cup in November.
Ruud Gullit also agreed with the verdict of former Dutch manager Verbeek, who has criticised Van Dijk's role as captain. Van Basten told Ziggo Sport via Voetbal International: "He makes noise, but he doesn't say anything.
"He is not clear. A good captain thinks aloud, makes it clear what is going on. He stays in between. He creates chaos. That leads to misunderstandings. That is what you, as a captain, must prevent.
"In the dressing room he is good, football tactically and technically not. You need another gentleman on the field. This has nothing to do with that injury, this has to do with leadership. He makes noise, but he says nothing. That's true. This is in you. This is wanting to win at all costs."
Gullit has been embroiled in back and forth with Van Dijk. The ex-Chelsea manager previously claimed that the bad defensive displays at Anfield were "his responsibility" and now he has now claimed the Liverpool man thinks he's "better than the rest".
"It's walking backwards," he said. "In England they have already criticised him. He was selected for the world team of the year. He thinks he's better than the rest.
"We see things… Then I think, "you are captain, you have to solve this". But he's just commenting a little on what's happening in front of him.
"I don't know if he's doing it, but it doesn't look like he's speaking. He plays so safe. Come on now, you're so big and good. It is a positive criticism that we give. Isn't he the best? Then show it."
Meanwhile former Twente and Feyenoord manager Verbeek went further, slamming Van Dijk as a 'first class wimp'.
Speaking as a pundit on Omrop Fryslan, he called for Holland head coach Ronald Koeman to strip the former Southampton man of his captaincy for the national team.
"I think Van Dijk is a first-class wimp. I would immediately take away his captain’s armband," he said. "He has to mean a lot more as a captain. He has to put things down. It happens to him. At one point he lets Lutsharel Geertruida drown and then he stands there after the first goal, like: bla bla bla. Where was he then?
He added after the match: "If you are 2-0 down after seven minutes, it will be a hell of a job. It’s very bad how we start here. Then you’ll be chasing the facts all evening. We will definitely have to look at this. It is difficult to analyse so soon after the game, but after seven minutes it is already done."
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