The Dutch centre-back, now 34, was speaking ahead of Super Sunday’s visit to Manchester City, and Van Dijk wasn’t just defending himself.
Virgil van Dijk described it as a broader responsibility for former top players, managers and anyone who uses a microphone to shape the narrative around young professionals.
“For me personally, I can deal with it, but I’m a little worried for the next generation,” Virgil van Dijk told Marcel before adding those ex-players “have a responsibility towards the new generation”.
Virgil van Dijk accepts that criticism is part of football, and there is no attempt to play the victim here.
The Liverpool skipper’s problem is when analysis turns into provocation, and when headlines are meant to travel rather than tell the truth.
“Criticism is completely normal and part of the game, and I think it should remain that way,” Virgil van Dijk said before warning that there would be some criticism “clickbait, saying things to provoke things” without thinking “the consequences for the mental side of players”.
Van Dijk: why pundit culture risks damaging young Liverpool players
Virgil van Dijk made a point that resonates with anyone who has seen a young player’s confidence fluctuate along the timeline.
The Dutch defender described how positive feedback is consumed after good performance, but how quickly things can escalate when an error takes hold.
“If you play a worse game and get bullied all over social media, or if you get bad criticism, it can really affect you,” said our skipper, adding that he has seen it happen in the past and in the present.
The Liverpool captain’s argument is that it is only getting louder, not quieter.
“It’s going to get worse and worse because on today’s platforms, with the clickbait and the headlines, everyone is doing it all the time,” Virgil van Dijk added.
That’s why our #4 believes former elite professionals must protect the environment they helped build.
“I have the feeling that especially the ex-pros, top players, who have also been through everything, have the responsibility to protect a little bit of that side as well,” said the Dutchman.
Van Dijk defending Slot feels like a captain defending Liverpool
Virgil van Dijk had been here before, as earlier this season the Liverpool captain had a back-and-forth with Wayne Rooney after criticizing our captain’s form.
That public exchange was important because it showed that Van Dijk is not interested in letting lazy stories hang in the air, especially when they question effort or character rather than performance.
This time the topic broadened to include Arne Slot and the current direction of the team, with the 34-year-old acknowledging that the results invited criticism.
“Criticism about the current season is well deserved because of the way we have played at times,” he said, before drawing the line.
‘But you have criticism and you have disrespect’ and that distinction is at the heart of what the Liverpool captain is trying to protect.
Van Dijk also pointed out that Liverpool is not a club that typically panics.
“As far as I know, Liverpool are not a club that makes hasty decisions and they trust the process.” said the former Southampton player, before emphasizing that Arne Slot deserves time and respect to get the job done.
It’s hard for Liverpool fans to disagree with the principle.
Our captain calls for standards, because there is a difference between criticism that improves football and noise that exists purely for the sake of travel.
Virgil van Dijk 2025/26 Premier League stats (via Bank score)
| Category | Stands |
|---|---|
| Performances (begins) | 24 (24) |
| Minutes | 2,160 |
| Clean sheets | 7 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Accurate passes per game (accuracy) | 71.4 (90%) |
| Long balls per game (accuracy) | 4.2 (51%) |
| Clearances per game | 7.8 |
| Aerial duels won per match (winning percentage) | 5.0 (77%) |
| Total number of matches won per match (winning percentage) | 6.2 (77%) |
| Mistakes that lead to a goal | 2 |
| Yellow cards | 3 |
These numbers are not perfect, as no season is, but they do underline that Virgil van Dijk is still playing every minute, still winning the battles that are decisive, and still speaking like a captain who understands what Liverpool should sound like.
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