Virgil van Dijk has responded sharply to claims that he influenced Ronald Koeman’s tactics during the Netherlands’ World Cup campaign.
In an unusually heated press conference from the Liverpool captain, the centre-back strongly emphasized the idea that he had a hand in tactics during the round of 32 defeat to Morocco that saw the team exit the competition.
“One of your colleagues also said, of course, that it was my idea to switch to playing with five players in the back line. This is complete nonsense,” Van Dijk told a reporter.
“The truth is that we simply failed in the World Cup, and those are the hard facts.
“We didn’t play the World Cup well. It’s not about me. You perform together, you’re a team. Your claim that I ruined Dutch football after the World Cup – that kind of thing is completely baseless.
“The plan was made by the staff. This nonsense is being spread so I can look worse. This happens often.”
“I was told that it was my fault that we played with five players, and that Ronald Koeman and I had ruined Dutch football.
“The plan worked for 89 minutes, even though it was a bad game. We almost won. The idea that I ruined Dutch football makes no sense at all. I didn’t decide that.”
Van Dijk is excited to continue under Xavi
Van Dijk (35 years old) can participate in his 100th match with the Netherlands if he participates in all four matches in the European Nations League against Germany and Greece and twice against Serbia.
The centre-back admitted that he considered retiring from international football after the World Cup, but said that one conversation with new coach Xavi, who previously played for Barcelona, was enough to keep him in the national team.
The defender added: “I needed a vacation with my family and then an important meeting with the national coach: after 10 seconds it was clear that I would continue.”
“What did he say? I’m Virgil van Dijk. It’s about trust and recognition and how important you are to the team. Physically, there’s no doubt – and he was – but you also want to feel appreciated and pleased.”
