Dutch icon Marco Van Basten has claimed Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk ‘often limits himself’ in games and could be doing even more.
The centre-back has been in imperious form for the Reds this season, playing a key role in the heart of Liverpool’s defence as they challenge on all fronts once more.
He’s played 90 minutes in all but two Premier League games this season, returning with force after recovering from the knee injury picked up last season.
He’s seemingly back to the level he showed during Liverpool’s run to the title in 2019, as well as their Champions League success the year before when the Dutchman was considered the best defender in Europe.
There’s one man who isn’t quite as impressed as everyone else, though, and that’s Van Basten, who believes Van Dijk could be doing more.
“Of course, his development has really gone from low to high, and he is definitely at the top now,” he told Ziggo Sport, relayed by SportNiuews.
“He’s a grandiose defender and a grandiose player. He’s fast, he can head well, he has good passing, good technique and yet I do think he can still improve, especially in his presence.
“He could be controlling, use possession quicker, midfield play quicker, getting the ball forward in the right way.
“I think he can do much more, he often limits himself to playing the ball to his full-backs, but he has a great pass in him. He can dribble in; he has good technique to do it. He can be much more dominant.
“The slower he goes, the harder it becomes for the midfielders and attackers to get that ball right to go on the attack.
“He plays an important role; he needs to have that intention to go forward and to find depth, and if that doesn’t work, then go sideways instead. He’s content with what he’s doing now.”
