Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk has been told to ‘go back to basics’ by a former Tottenham Hotspur boss Tim Sherwood.
The Reds were forced to settle for a point as they were held to a 3-3 draw with Brighton on Saturday afternoon. Roberto Firmino scored a brace, with an Adam Webster own goal adding to Liverpool’s goal tally.
However, Leandro Trossard scored a hat-trick for the visitors at Anfield. It means that Liverpool have just 10 points from their opening seven league matches this season.
READ MORE: Nothing will change at Liverpool unless Jurgen Klopp addresses major flaw in his side
READ MORE: Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit picks five Liverpool players 'not at right level'
Former Tottenham manager Sherwood was analysing Van Dijk’s performance during the draw with Brighton. The ex-Spurs boss explained why he thinks the Liverpool defender is “switching off” and outlines what needs to be done to correct the issues.
“If I’m in that dressing room and I’m looking for the leader and the man that has changed their fortunes around, for me that’s Van Dijk,” Sherwood told Premier League Productions.
“If you watch him here (for Brighton’s third goal), he just lumbers into position and that’s a switch off in concentration there.
“It was very, very poor. Just get back into position and get your body shape correct. He just sticks his left leg out for the clearance and the ball goes underneath, it’s a poor error for someone of his quality.
“The rest of the dressing room look up to him, he’s the leader and he’s got to lead by example and show a little bit more urgency.
“Not determination, of course he’s trying and I’ll never criticise anyone [for that]. But just do the right things, go back to basics a little bit.
“With Mo Salah playing the way he is at the moment, you’ve not got the firepower to outscore every team you play against. Sometimes you’re going to have to defend, doggedly, and they’re not doing that.
“It’s almost for me, I use the phrase ‘too cool to sweat’, and that’s what he (Van Dijk) looks like at the moment. He almost finds it too easy and he’s making poor errors because he’s switching off.
“You have to be concentrating all of the time, and if you’re not playing well make sure others around you are and organise them.”
READ MORE:
- Gabby Agbonlahor sends another message to Jurgen Klopp and claims he's been proven right about Liverpool
- Liverpool youngster keeps up remarkable scoring record with another statement
- Trent Alexander-Arnold must face another threat after week gets worse for Liverpool right-back
- Jurgen Klopp refuses to blame fans for 'obvious feeling' after 'horrendous' moments in Liverpool draw with Brighton
- Liverpool player ratings as Roberto Firmino a mixed bag and Trent Alexander-Arnold awful vs Brighton
