Unable To Accept Liverpool Criticized By Pandits, Van Dijk Gives A Menohok Reply

Liverpool player Virgil van Dijk. (Photo: Instagram.com/@virgilvandijk)

JAKARTA - Liverpool silenced Ajax Amsterdam 2-1 when they met in the second week of the Group A phase of the 2022/2023 Champions League.

However, the result did not seem enough to silence the criticism that came out of the pandit.

After the match which took place at Anfield Stadium, Wednesday, September 14 in the morning WIB, the Liverpool players still received criticism from observers.

Some even brought up Liverpool's performance in the opening European game which lost 1-4 to Napoli. Including from former Manchester United player Rio Ferdinand.

This situation angered Van Dijk. He told BT Sport that such experts only aim to lower morale in Liverpool.

"Back from the horror show in Naples, it's very important to show a positive reaction. It's not easy to recover, but it's a step in the right direction. It's very important to win ahead of the international break," Van Dijk said.

"We didn't listen to the outside world. Many former football players, who knew exactly what we were going through, said a lot to bring us down, but we know the last game was very bad and it was a step in the right direction," he said.

Rio Ferdinand, who felt insinuated by Van Dijk's words, responded. Ferdinand insisted that criticism from him and other experts against Liverpool could be justified, and the players had to admit that it was appropriate.

Ferdinand continued, he would feel annoyed if he was criticized as a player and was private. However, he would accept that if it was true.

If I thought (the criticism) was wrong, or I thought it was personal, I would be annoyed. But if it was appropriate, then you know, I would raise my hand and say it," said Ferdinand.