Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright has suggested that players will 'have a go' at Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk this season after the Dutchman wasn't 'majorly tested' last campaign.
By his own high standards, Van Dijk has made somewhat of an underwhelming start to the Reds' 2022/23 season. The 31-year-old struggled to maintain Fulham frontman Aleksandar Mitrovic on the opening day and was criticised for his performance in the 2-1 defeat to Manchester United on Monday night.
Jurgen Klopp's side are yet to record a win in the Premier League, having drawn their other two matches with Fulham and Crystal Palace.
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Van Dijk's shaky start to the season has led to Wright suggesting that opposition attackers may now feel more inclined to have a go at taking the defender on, stating that the Dutchman wasn’t overly tested last term.
Speaking on the Wrighty’s House Podcast , he said: "I do feel, and I mentioned him briefly, watching Virgil van Dijk against Fulham and then watching him against United. I think people are going to try to have a go. At this stage you factor in who the partner is, I thought Joe Gomez was solid the other night, but at the moment he’s not quite centred.
"People say it takes two seasons after the injury he had to get going, I don’t think he was majorly tested last season, but this season, it’s been straight off the bat with Mitrovic and then Man United people taking him on and going at him.
"I feel like we’re going to get a lot of answers this season in terms of what he’s about, what Man City are about and what Arsenal are about, I’m so excited."
In defence of Van Dijk, Liverpool's first three games of the season have seen him line up with as many different partners. After starting the season alongside long-time partner Joel Matip at Fulham, Phillips was in the back four against Palace as they duo lined up for the first time together.
At Old Trafford, Joe Gomez made his maiden Premier League appearance at centre-back since November 2020 and his first next to Van Dijk since October of that same year.
Van Dijk, who has made 185 appearances for Liverpoo l since arriving at Anfield in 2018 - registering 16 goals and 11 assists, will be desperate to help the Reds secure their first win of the campaign when they host Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon.
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