Virgil van Dijk (32) is evaluated as one of the best center backs in the world. It is truly a ‘Wall of Wailing’. He is called the center back’s textbook, such as building up, controlling the ball in the air, and running a stable game. 메이저놀이터
However, Van Dijk turned into a ‘mystery’ in the first leg of the round of 16 of the 2022-2023 season against Real Madrid held at Anfield in Liverpool, England on the 22nd (hereinafter Korean time).
On this day, Van Dijk, who worked with Joseph Gomes in central defense, could not prevent the team from losing 2-5. The 2-0 lead in the 21st minute and the 36th minute in the first half allowed Van Dijk to take advantage of the chase goals and equalizers. The third goal, which came two minutes into the second half, was the same. However, the fourth goal allowed in the 10th minute of the second half, 2-3, was defeated by Van Dijk’s inactive defense. Rodrigo’s pass from the right side of the penalty box was followed by Karim Benzema’s non-stop shot that shook the net. However, Van Dijk did not even predict Rodrigo’s pass, and his will to block Benzema’s shot with his body fell. In the end, in the 22nd minute of the TT class, he hurriedly gave up even the fifth run.
Then, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher poured out criticism. “It’s ridiculous that Liverpool are back on track with two victories,” Carragher said. “he said.
At the same time, he criticized the sand grain organization of the defense centered on Van Dijk. “Liverpool, as I’ve said before, has absolutely been a mess defensively this season. Coincidentally, they were a team that had a great defensive record last season,” Carragher explained.
“Liverpool have been considered to have some of the best defenders in the world for many years and they have been irreplaceable because they have played harder and smarter than any other team over the years. But now they have completely collapsed,” he said.
Liverpool are in dire need of a defensive overhaul at the end of this season. Van Dijk, Gomes and Yoel Matip are being used as centre-backs, but they are running towards the mid-thirties. The recruiting target who can achieve both a generational change and an improvement in defense power is Kim Min-jae (Naples), the ‘monster’. However, Liverpool is known to be paying attention to other players, judging that Kim Min-jae’s buyout is excessive to invest in. However, if the defensive power that Carragher is concerned about does not improve until the end of the season, the possibility of running again before signing Kim Min-jae cannot be ruled out. It is expected that they will have to compete fiercely with Manchester United over Kim Min-jae.