“Happens with every player” – Former Netherlands player defends Liverpool defenders’ form

Jaap Stam defends Liverpool star Virgil Van Dijk and labels him as one of the best in the world

The former Netherlands and Manchester United defender Jaap Stam has defended Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk and his drop in form, comparing the situation to Lionel Messi’s tough first season at Paris Saint-Germain.

Stam states that every player who is playing at the highest level will see a dip in their form at one stage of their career but that does not necessarily mean that they have lost their touch.

Speaking to Liverpool Echo, he believes that Van Dijk is still one of the world’s best defenders and a dip in form should not take that away from him.

“Virgil is one of the best defenders in the world.

If you look at every player at a very high level, every player has a moment where he’s not as sure as he was before.

Van Dijk is still a very good defender, one of the best. Very important still for the club. It’s a thing that happens with every player.”

Virgil Van Dijk has borne the brunt of criticism from a section of fans and pundits for a drop in his performances since the beginning of the season.

His performances have been in correlation with the general performance of the team, which has seen us collect a dismal nine points from the first six league games with hopes of a title challenge fading rapidly.

There have been many theories as to the reason behind the dip in form for Van Dijk with many believing he has not been the same player ever since he returned from the horrific ACL injury suffered in October 2020 coinciding with playing a lot of games last season.

Some believe that the lack of key personnel at midfield is leaving the defence way too exposed which is resulting in the goals being conceded. Either way, the rearguard’s form appears to have fallen off the cluff.

Van Dijk is one of the best players in the Premier League and when asked about his dip in form, the defender gave an honest answer and admitted that he has had a poor start to the season.

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Accountability is one of the true virtues of a good professional and the need to realise the reality of a situation and work towards bettering it is what separates the good from the best.

The Dutch captain has been one of the best signings the club has made in recent years and at this stage of time where he has found himself in a position which he has not experienced in years, all we can do is lay behind the player and provide him with the utmost support to regain his form and confidence.