Virgil van Dijk has hit back at Dutch legend Marco van Basten after the former midfielder accused the Liverpool star of "creating chaos" last week.
Van Dijk has endured a difficult season in the Premier League and is currently away from Anfield on international duty with the Netherlands national side. However, unfortunately for the 31-year-old, his struggles have followed him during the international break, where Ronald Koeman's side were thrashed 4-0 by France on Friday night.
And Van Basten, a Dutch icon, singled Van Dijk out for criticism in the wake of that chastening defeat and accused the Netherlands captain of failing to live up to his role.
Van Basten told Ziggo Sport : "He makes noise, but he doesn't say anything. He is not clear. A good captain thinks aloud, makes it clear what is going on. He stays in between. He creates chaos. That leads to misunderstandings. That is what you, as a captain, must prevent.
"In the dressing room he is good, football tactically and technically not. You need another gentleman on the field. This has nothing to do with that injury, this has to do with leadership. He makes noise, but he says nothing. That's true. This is in you. This is wanting to win at all costs."
Ruud Gullit, who was also analysing the Netherlands' games, chimed in too and accused Van Dijk of being "arrogant".
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But speaking after the Netherlands' 3-0 win over Gibraltar on Monday night, Van Dijk - who has also been criticised for his form at Liverpool this year - bit back by insisting that he was not bothered by the opinions of Van Basten or Gullit before outlining that it simply is not possible to "always play consistently" after failing to maintain his own high standards.
When Van Basten and Gullit's comments were relayed to him, Van Dijk told Ziggo Sport: "This is of no use to me. Everyone is allowed to have their own opinion these days, that's the case. [But] did I set the bar unrealistically high? How is that possible? It was never perfect – constant is the right word. We've had a lot of success with the team. Football players, they [Van Basten and Gullit] know that better than anyone, have high peaks and deep valley.
"It's quite normal that you can't always play consistently. That you have a phase as a club or player where you are looking for your level. People should not forget that. It is normal that people make mistakes, that it is part of football and that it is very human. Regardless of who gets a platform and is allowed to say what, so that things are made big."
