Liverpool weakness may now be exposed v Real Madrid after Virgil van Dijk reveal – pundit
Virgil van Dijk and Liverpool may be “caught out” by Real Madrid’s attacking talents in Saturday’s Champions League final (28 May), according to Gabby Agbonlahor.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Aston Villa and England attacker claimed Liverpool’s players are “shattered” and their high defensive line will be exposed in Paris.
Van Dijk, 30, has not featured since the FA Cup final win over Chelsea (14 May) after coming off with a knee injury in injury time at Wembley.
As quoted by the Mirror ahead of his side’s 3-1 win over Wolves on Sunday (22 May), Jurgen Klopp explained the centre-back was fit enough to be on the bench but not to start.
The Dutchman is therefore set to return against Real Madrid but Agbonlahor has warned that will not fix their defence that looked rattled against Wolves.
He told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: “Against Wolves, a lot of the Liverpool players look shattered and that they had nothing left in their legs.
“The way they played with that high line, Wolves wasted so many opportunities when it was three v one. Look at the goal and the chance that Hwang [Hee-chan] had.
“If they defend like that with Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo running behind it’s going to be very difficult. I can’t call it.
“Even against Man City this season, Van Dijk got caught with that high line. Real Madrid showed against Chelsea and Man City, they are not to be messed with.”
Van Dijk will make his 51st appearance of the season across all competitions if he starts against Real Madrid.
He signed a new deal with the Reds last summer (2021) so is under contract for another three years.
In other news, Kieran Maguire has revealed Liverpool are right to be livid as legal proceedings over a £4million payout begins.