Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has endured a tough season during the Reds’ struggles.
Charlie Mulgrew had Ally McCoist in stitches talking Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk.(Image: Adam Davy/PA)
Scotland icon Ally McCoist couldn’t contain his laughter when discussing Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk with former Celtic defender Charlie Mulgrew. The 40-year-old made a tongue-in-cheek jibe that the Reds star learned from the Scotland international.
The Liverpool stopper has endured a tough season as his dip in form has coincided with the struggles of the Premier League champions. Arne Slot’s side are set to limp over the line after a number of injuries have hampered their title defence, as well as numerous underwhelming performances throughout the campaign.
Liverpool are set to bid farewell to two experienced figures alongside Van Dijk in the dressing room in Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson, leaving the Dutchman as one of the few senior players remaining. But the Holland international will remain while the Reds rebuild without his Premier League and Champions League winning team-mates.
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OPINION
Mulgrew talked about how Van Dijk overcame his struggles at Celtic during his time with the Scottish Premiership giants. The 40-year-old believes that Liverpool’s poor season has contributed to his struggles but defended his former teammate.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Mulgrew brought laughs from McCoist as he said: “Van Dijk learned a lot from me. He does a lot of radio stuff in Holland and he talks about me. Listen, Van Dijk is a Rolls-Royce. Quickest, strongest, best in the air, best at free-kicks, best technician, there was none (faults).
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“He strolled up for the ball, £2.5m we signed him for, what’s the catch? He dribbles out, 35 yards, hits the underside of the bar and you’re thinking, ‘jeez oh, he’s a proper player’.
“We played away in a European qualifier, they threw everything in the box, launching it, the big man got a bit bullied that night, he got dropped for the second leg.
“That night, you’re thinking, ‘the big man’s not the best in the air, that’s his issue, ‘ he quickly solved that. Nobody beat him in the air after that.
“As a centre-back, it’s never down to you, you’re relying on your midfield, full-backs, ‘keeper, the massive thing for a centre-back is that you’re looking for clean sheets, the longer the game goes on and you’re looking for clean sheets, you look quicker, faster, stronger.
“People are talking as if he’s slowed down, maybe not as fit or his legs have gone but it’s only because of how Liverpool are doing, there’s no way his legs have gone.”
McCoist added: “I’ve got my own theory on Van Dijk, I actually think at times it looked too easy for him.”
Liverpool have a battle for Champions League qualification on their hands following their PSG elimination. The Reds can take a huge stride towards qualifying for the elite European competition should they beat Everton on Sunday.
The Reds sit three points behind Manchester United and Aston Villa, both of whom dropped points last weekend, as their 2-0 win over Fulham created a four-point buffer to Chelsea.
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