[ad_1]
Liverpool followers could also be left scratching their heads at Rio Ferdinand’s newest feedback after the ex-Manchester United ace took goal at Virgil van Dijk and the participant’s kind this time period.
Talking for BT Sport, the Englishman urged that the highly-decorated defender might now not be in comparison with the greats of the Premier League owing to his collapse in efficiency ranges this time period, although did admit that the drop-off might be traced to the staff’s general struggles.
“There are phases in your profession when issues don’t go to plan. You have a look at the good centre-halves of years passed by like John Terry, Jaap Stam, [Nemanja] Vidic, [Vincent] Kompany, Sol Campbell, the record goes on,” the pundit instructed his co-commentators.
“These don’t have… I don’t keep in mind these having a season off, or large intervals in a season the place you will have eight or 9 video games the place it isn’t going properly.
“The type of the staff does play an element in that, I feel.”
The previous Southampton ace (described as a ‘bodily monster’ by Erling Haaland, by way of ESPN’s Instagram) was discovered to be at fault for Bournemouth’s successful aim on the weekend as his laissez-faire method to defending attracted criticism.
It’s price mentioning that when Liverpool have been successful and dominant in video games, Van Dijk’s sense of calm has been seen in a a lot totally different mild by followers and pundits alike.
That’s to not exclude or defend our No.4 from any type of criticism, although we’d completely agree with Ferdinand’s level on the 31-year-old’s struggles being largely a symptom of defects throughout the facet as an entire.
On that foundation, we’d need to argue strongly in his favour when it comes to remaining comparable in high quality to the likes of Terry and Kompany – to not point out the defensive rock stars of Europe.
One solely want think about the struggles Mo Salah has skilled (regardless of boasting a formidable scoring document this season regardless) as additional proof of the impression systematic difficulties are having on our greatest gamers.
Followers can catch the complete clip beneath, courtesy of BT Sport:
“Typically you are pretty much as good because the staff round you!”
How do you clarify the drop in type of Virgil van Dijk this season…? 🤔
🎙️ @rioferdy5 | @themichaelowen | @petercrouch | @mrjakehumphrey pic.twitter.com/LSv0Jl9Yjk
— Soccer on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 15, 2023
[ad_2]
Source link