Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk has admitted he knows performances from the Netherlands have not been up to par and he needs to bear some responsibility for that.
The defender has been speaking at a press conference for the Dutch side today as they gear up for the knockout stages of Euro 2024.
Ronald Koeman’s side are yet to really hit their stride in the tournament, despite having successful qualified from their group, with a late win over Poland followed by a 0-0 draw against France and a 3-2 defeat to Austria.
The latter result has really seen the criticism flying in, with Dutch media and pundits vocal in their criticism of the performance in that game.
Much of the focus has again been on the Liverpool star, with Dutch icons such as Marco van Basten focusing on him again this week and insisting the player, who now wears the captain’s armband for his country, needs to be doing more.
The Liverpool defender has regularly been the focus of criticism for his country and, in turn, regularly insisted he is not bothered, and that people are entitled to say what they wish.
It seems he’s now changed tact, though, and admits he knows that improvement is needed, and the comments are somewhat justified.
“It goes without saying that I have to take responsibility now,” he said.
“We have spoken a lot in the last 48 hours and some harsh words have been spoken. That is of course necessary, because some things have certainly happened. I feel like it helped, but it’s really time to show that.
“It makes perfect sense. I’m going to work on that too. I blame myself too. I’m not crazy, I know when things need to be improved. That’s what I’m working on. That is the basis for getting better.
“The last match was definitely not my best, but personally that has not happened often this season. It is important to me that it stops now. That is the responsibility I take now. That responsibility is very great, especially at Oranje. And the criticism affects me.”
