Liverpool: Van Dijk explains reason behind his dip in form

The Dutch defender hasn’t been able to provide Liverpool with much-needed stability since his return from injury.

Virgil van Dijk has admitted his eagerness to play for Liverpool has backfired after the World Cup.

Van Dijk suffered an ACL injury in 2021 that kept him out of action for around ten months. Upon his return, however, Van Dijk played 62 games for the Reds and Netherlands last season.

The experienced defender has also played every Premier League and Champions League match for Liverpool in their current campaign.

Unlike the recent seasons, however, Liverpool have struggled for defensive stability even while having Van Dijk in their lineup.

Speaking about his dip in form, the Dutchman told reporters: “Coming back from the knee injury, I played all the Premier League games, because everybody wants to be out there, I want to be out there.

“That’s what I’m working hard for. What caught up is that I played too many games at a time. When it’s game day I want to play. I’ll do everything possible to play, but I could have also thought before the World Cup, ‘Let’s rest a little bit in order to be ready.’

“I didn’t because I want to play. I want to be influential for this football club because I love this club. And I work each and every day to be successful for this club.

“But it caught up with me unfortunately, my body. I’m not a robot and I think going into the World Cup, having the World Cup and then doing nothing for a week and coming back it was maybe not the right decision.

“I would say that everything that happened, happened for a reason. This six weeks was a good chance for me to reflect, but also let my knee settle a little bit and get ready for the rest of the season.

“It was a tough six weeks to watch because you want to help the team and especially with a hamstring injury you have to be very patient. Patience is not in my vocabulary, it’s not in my system, but I had to.”