Lille

Virgil Van Dijk has been a recurring topic of discussion for several weeks on Twitter. Latest episode, this time independent of his will, the reassessment of his qualities on the next opus of Fifa. Back-to-school barometer for some amateurs, a player’s rating always arouses its share of debates and Van Dijk is no exception. And for good reason, for several weeks, the slender defender of Liverpool has lost its luster.

To stay in the ratings, the Dutchman was credited with a below average number in the entirety of the English press for his failed performance against Naples last Wednesday (4-1). A rout favored by “abominable individual performances and the total absence of defensive organization allowing Napoli to score easily“, got carried away the famous Liverpool Echo.

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A defensive wreckage which is part of a failed start to the season for the rearguard of the Reds, struggling in the league as on the European scene, when it comes time to find the always offensive formation of Ajax Amsterdam at Anfield Tuesday evening (9 p.m.). “The defense is clearly the black point of this start to the seasonagrees Louis Desprez, responsible for the networks of the page RedsFranceFrench-speaking leader on Liverpool news. Since the end of last season, we almost systematically start our matches at 0-1.»

Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold singled out

This was again the case at the Diego-Armando-Maradona Stadium, where Napoli were already in front after five minutes. Boosted, the Neapolitans will spend three before the break, benefiting both from the largesse behind the British defense and from its lack of aggressiveness, which has been evident for several weeks. “We can think of physical and mental wear and tear, imagine Louis Desprez. After having played all possible matches last year, the season nevertheless ended with two titles lost in the last two matches. And we have the impression that some players may have trouble recovering and finding the little flame.»

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And the body language (body language in VF) of some players worried. Starting with Trent Alexander-Arnold. Often taunted for his defensive side at the antipodes of his offensive talent, the right side appeared on the street on Wednesday. Strolled by the Georgian nugget Kvaratskhelia on the third Italian goal, he was completely disinterested on the one-two leading to the second goal of the premises. Constantly late, Van Dijk seemed to be deprived of his legendary sense of anticipation which had consecrated him as one of the very best defenders on the continent. He was even caught by the patrol on a whistled penalty for a foul on Victor Osimhen. The second penalty conceded this season by the Dutchman, who had not conceded any… in the previous 150 matches.

«Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold clearly lacked aggression at the start of the season and it cost us several goalsplague the CM of RedsFrance. This lack of desire is very rare in the Klopp era. And even less excusable against Everton or Manchester United, which are the appointments not to be missed.» Against the Red Devils (2-1 defeat), Van Dijk was again targeted on the networks for remaining stoic in the face of Jadon Sancho’s arabesques on the opener. His captain James Milner had then severely reframed him on the ground.

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Labor shortage

Peaceful and paternalistic, Jürgen Klopp paid little attention to individual bankruptcies following the “worst game since (his) takeover». «It’s okay to ask case-by-case questions about personal performance, but that’s not our main topic. We will come back stronger together“, swept the former coach of Dortmund. Postponement of the Premier League obligesthe Reds had plenty of time to iron thehorror show (Klopp) from Napoli to start again. “Everyone made their own criticism, hailed Cameroonian defender Joel Matip. Sometimes it helps to say things between four eyes. We don’t always like to hear certain things but it’s often constructive and it gives us areas for improvement.»

«We have focused on defense in training, because it is our major project at the moment. Defending well is a good start“, continued the Cameroonian on the eve of the reception of Ajax and his total football. Injured at the start of the season, the person concerned should find a starting place on Tuesday. Instrumental in the defensive base of the Reds last year, Matip came into play at the break in Naples last week, to replace a Joe Gomez in distress. But the damage was already done. So far, his absence has been combined with that of French neo-international Ibrahima Konaté (2 selections in June), injured in the knee. And it’s another essential defensive piece that will take the place of Matip in the infirmary in the person of Andrew Robertson, injured for several weeks.

A widespread labor shortage at all levels which leads directly to a frozen starting lineup, where veteran James Milner (36), guilty of an early hand in Naples (penalty converted to the 5th minute), is also struggling. “When Milner arrives late on a duel and loses it behind, you understand that something abnormal is happening“Smiled Jürgen Klopp at a press conference on Monday. However, Milner, essential cog in the pressing dear to the German coach, is increasingly late. And begins to look his age (36 years old). “Lack of turnover in midfield leads to Milner constantly being thrown into the XI, except his confidence isn’t at its peak. notes Louis Desprez. Behind, the defense is overexposed, it’s a vicious circle.»