There was a moment during Liverpool’s recent win over Como that barely registered with the Anfield crowd at the time. It was their final pre-season friendly and Andoni Iraola's side won the game 2-0 with Jeremy Jacquet impressing on his debut. During the first half there was a disagreement between Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk.
The midfielder pressed but Como just passed the ball into the space behind him. Szoboszlai was visibly angry to find Van Dijk had not stepped up to close the gap. Already, one game into the Premier League season, and even within five minutes of that particular game against Newcastle, there are signs that it could be a problem for Andoni Iraola.
He wants his team to press high. But does his veteran captain want to do it too? Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Van Dijk's failure to push up was a contributory factor in Newcastle's opener.
Much was made of Anthony Elanga's 61-metre run for the goal but William Osula was able to feed him without anyone closing down, as Jamie Carragher pointed out on Sky Sports. "Virgil van Dijk should be higher initially and if he is higher he could then make the challenge there," said Carragher. "But we are talking about a defender who is 35, coming towards the end of his career, one of the greatest players we have seen in that position." It is a common trait with such players, as Carragher well knows.
"It is very reminiscent of John Terry in that position. Do you remember John Terry under [Andre] Villas-Boas? He does not want to go in there.
So you have almost got to play to the strengths of him." He added of Van Dijk: "It is not just that Liverpool need protection in midfield and need more players there, he needs protection. This is probably the first season where he cannot help anyone else, he needs help himself." But will he get it in Iraola's system? The Basque coach did a remarkable job in his three seasons with Bournemouth, building one of the most exciting sides in the Premier League.
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