'Let's bash them' - Neil Warnock launches staunch…

'Let's bash them' - Neil Warnock launches staunch Liverpool and Virgil van Dijk defence

Neil Warnock believes Liverpool are being treated too harshly in the media as the Reds struggle to keep pace with their Premier League rivals.

Jurgen Klopp's side have endured their worst start to a Premier League season since the German's 2015 arrival, with recent back-to-back defeats against Nottingham Forest and Leeds United condemning them to ninth place - 15 points short of Arsenal at the top of the table. The Anfield club have come under increasing scrutiny for a litany of poor performances, failing to capitalise on encouraging wins against Manchester City and in the Champions League.

The Liverpool midfield, in particular, has been in the firing line, while defensively, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk have all been singled out for criticism at different points.

However, speaking on the Die for Three Points Podcast, former journeyman manager Warnock believes the media are too quick to 'bash' the Liverpool squad for what is mostly a lack of confidence.

“I just think because it’s Liverpool and everyone expected them to be level with Manchester City at this stage, it’s so difficult that," Warnock said. "All of the media at the moment, because it’s Liverpool, let’s bash them. They’re saying it all needs changing, he’s no good, he needs new blood. I don’t think there’s a lot wrong, it’s just confidence in the players."

Particularly out of sorts has been Van Dijk. The Dutch giant has so often pulled together everyone around him while also producing an individual consistency beyond anyone else in world football. Recent weeks have seen the 31-year-old notably out of form, but Warnock believes he will bounce back to his dominant best.

"The time to judge will be at the end of the season, but he has to adjust," Warnock added. "Some of the mistakes they’ve made. Basic things really, the best centre-half in the country has hit a bad spell. Van Dijk has hit a bad spell. Whereas he’s been able to lift everyone around him, he looks like he has enough on his plate to lift himself, but that will come back, with good players that comes back."

Despite a dismal campaign domestically, Liverpool booked their place in the Champions League knockout stages with last week's 2-0 win at Ajax, ending the group stages with five consecutive victories after Tuesday's 2-0 win against Napoli. The Reds face Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday before hosting Southampton on the final day before teams break for the World Cup - a chance to pick up six crucial points and go into the break in the best possible position.

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