Liverpool transfer news: Why Marco van Basten called Virgil van Dijk ‘weird’

The Netherlands are on 15-match unbeaten run, but their captain Virgil van Dijk has nonetheless arrive in for some criticism from Dutch previous goal-fiend Marco van Basten…

Previous Ajax and AC Milan striker Van Basten scored 24 goals in 58 games for his state just before his career was lower short by harm at just 28 back again in 1995 – though he even now had time to get a few Ballons d’Or.

Most not long ago the Netherlands assistant manager, Van Basten is now an intrigued observer of the Dutch national team, and he most recently watched them defeat Belgium 1- to conclude their UEFA National League Team A4 marketing campaign undefeated.

Van Dijk commenced at the coronary heart of a back 3 with Manchester City’s Nathan Ake and modern Manchester United target Jurrien Timber possibly facet, and whilst they retained their next consecutive thoroughly clean sheet, Van Basten was left underwhelmed.

‘Timber our largest strength’

“Jurrien Timber is our major toughness in protection,” he said. “He constantly will take the initiative just like Nathan Ake while basically the finest defender [Van Dijk] takes the least initiative of the a few, which is weird, that such a great centre back does so minor in the create-up.

“Ajax is enjoying good soccer thanks to Jurrien Timber and the national team is actively playing great football thanks to him as well. It’s many thanks to him that we are able to enjoy so quick out from the back.”

Timber reportedly turned down a transfer to Man Utd in the summertime amid fears for his World Cup location, instead keeping at Ajax in which he has contributed the most blocks (a few) and the most progressive passes (7) for each game among any defender league-broad.

Van Dijk is however regarded as 1 of the quite greatest in the world in his placement, but his confidence may possibly have taken a knock with Liverpool having off to their worst ever start to a Premier League season under Jurgen Klopp this phrase.