Virgil van Dijk is ‘finished’ – Liverpool fans explode as ‘disgusting’ footage is re-analysed
Virgil van Dijk continues to frustrate Liverpool supporters with his drop in form as Bournemouth secured a surprise win at the Vitality Stadium.
Football Insider understands that Liverpool are eyeing Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven as the veteran’s long-term replacement, albeit he still has a contract until the summer of 2027.
Mohamed Salah is in a similar boat to the Anfield captain, but the Egyptian star continues to be linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League, especially after his brief falling-out with Arne Slot.
Despite a rollercoaster of a 2025-26 campaign, the Reds are still fourth in the Premier League table, just 10 points behind second-place Man City, but Slot’s side keep being hit with setbacks.
Virgil van Dijk was at fault for Bournemouth’s opener
In the blink of an eye, Liverpool were two goals behind at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday, 24 January, but it was the opener that really stunned the away fans after Van Dijk totally disappeared.
Assuming the ball would go out of play, the captain took his eyes off the ball, allowing Lewis Cook to hook the ball into a dangerous area, and Evanilson the chance to hit the back of the net.
With one supporter labelling him as “just embarrassing,” it is safe to say that the travelling supporters were not impressed, even if he did grab a goal back from a corner routine.
Dominik Szoboszlai thought he had completed a comeback, but Amine Adli netted in the fourth minute of added time to shock the Merseysiders.
Once “one of the best defenders in the world,” one fan is now crying out for the defender to “retire,” while another insinuates that he’s Saudi Arabia-bound ahead of the summer.
- @BoxingKW1988: “Van Dijk is so poor now. Used to be one of the best defenders in the world, but age is catching up to him. What I don’t get is why he keeps blaming everyone else for his mistakes. He should have dealt with that, no one else, but then immediately turns to blame someone else.”
- @ediological: “Van Dijk should just retire, I beg.”
- @CxGamingGD: “Disgusting defending from Van Dijk and Kerkez. Embarrassing performance.”
Jamie Carragher wants Micky van de Ven at Anfield
Jamie Carragher is rarely one for keeping his opinion to himself, with the majority of fans discussing Van Dijk’s future and how much longer he can last as the Reds’ first-choice centre-back.
He continues to make mistakes, some of which turn out to be goal-costing errors, and Carragher has already made his feelings clear over who he believes could replace the Dutchman.
Speaking back in December [Echo of Glory], discussing which centre-back duo he would take from Liverpool or Tottenham, and he said: “I’d have your two [Van de Ven and Cristian Romero],” to a Spurs fan.
With Ibrahima Konate also suffering a dip in form this season, the Reds need a plan in place, either for the rest of the current window or the summer transfer window, where the real business is done.