Premier League strikers told to ‘rough up’ Virgil van Dijk: ‘Mess his hair up’
Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk is being shown far too much respect by centre-forwards across the Premier League it has been claimed.
The Dutchman has been one of the division’s best defenders over the last decade, and with van Dijk putting pen to paper on a new Liverpool deal, opposition forwards will be given no respite for the next two seasons.
He is ultimately one of the key reasons for the Reds’ Premier League and Champions League trophies under Jurgen Klopp, and has played an integral role during Arne Slot‘s first season at Anfield.
However, the experienced centre-half has been known to have a dark side, sometimes picking up yellow cards for lashing out, as proven by van Dijk’s potential sending-off against Tottenham in February, and ex-FIFA referee Keith Hackett believes the Liverpool star is a repeat offender.
That is exactly why Clinton Morrison wants opposition centre-forwards to be more hands-on with the star defender in an attempt to turn the tide on his faultless displays at the back.
Virgil van Dijk far too comfortable against Premier League opposition
Speaking live on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday (19 April, 2:28pm), Morrison said: “His hair’s always slick, so centre [forwards], they’re not roughing him up. His hair’s always in place. I’m thinking, ‘Centre-forwards, rough him up!’
“He plays the game at his own pace, passing accuracy, people will look at that and think it’s simple five-yard passes, but no, he’s always looking to hit that diag[onal] and nine times out of 10 he does it…
“Whoever plays with Virgil van Dijk, he makes them look a better player, he’s more assured. [Ryan] Gravenberch has been good in there, but you look at [Ibrahima] Konate, Konate’s improved so much this season because he plays beside him.
“I think he’s outstanding. That’s why when Liverpool win stuff, the full-backs can go forward because Virgil van Dijk backs himself to win one-on-one.
“He says, ‘Come on, any centre-forward who wants to take it to me’. But please, centre-forwards, if you’re listening, just mess his hair up a bit. He’s too cool, but we’re happy that he’s stayed in the Premier League.”
Arne Slot handed incredible news ahead of summer transfer window
Football Insider verdict
Van Dijk’s is not the only positive contract news to emerge from Anfield recently, with Mohamed Salah also securing his Liverpool future after months of uncertainty.
Of course, Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s expected move to Real Madrid this summer is still a hammer blow for the supporters, but he is the least vital of the three stars when compared.
| Player | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Virgil van Dijk | 314 | 27 | 13 |
| Mohamed Salah | 395 | 243 | 113 |
The likes of Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz and Andy Robertson are all linked with exits, amongst others, and it could be quite the summer of change after Klopp’s incredibly long reign at Anfield.
That is usual with a new manager, a new leader, but it would have been made all the more difficult had all three of the club’s biggest stars left in the same transfer window.
Van Dijk is getting towards the end of his career, at 33 years of age, so it is only normal for centre-forwards to target him more often, but there should be no underestimating his talents even at this stage.