Jurgen Klopp starts public row with Premier League cult hero over Virgil van Dijk criticism
Jurgen Klopp has jumped to the defence of Virgil van Dijk following comments from Rafael van der Vaart. Netherlands international Van Dijk was criticised for his performance in their World Cup opener against Japan , which ended 2-2. Van der Vaart did not hold back in his assessment of Van Dijk Getty Speaking on NOS, former Dutch midfielder Van der Vaart was not one to complement their captain…
Jurgen Klopp has jumped to the defence of Virgil van Dijk following comments from Rafael van der Vaart.
Netherlands international Van Dijk was criticised for his performance in their World Cup opener against Japan, which ended 2-2.
Van der Vaart did not hold back in his assessment of Van DijkGettySpeaking on NOS, former Dutch midfielder Van der Vaart was not one to complement their captain after the full-time whistle.
“I must honestly say that I was a bit shocked by Van Dijk,” he said.
“That turning… it was a bit of a Boeing 747. I hope he will run a little faster during the tournament.”
However, Van Dijk’s former Liverpool manager Klopp appeared to play down Van der Vaart’s evaluation in a strong response.
“I don’t know if it’s worth naming Rafael van der Vaart at all’, he said on German television after they thrashed Sweden 5-1.
“But if he ever says something positive about a player, I’m willing to take him seriously again.”
He added: “You have the feeling that he sees something, which then has to be expressed in a flowery way and then he goes against it.
“But it’s not that important.”
Dream partnership
Klopp’s defence of Van Dijk comes as little surprise given the success they shared at Liverpool.
Van Dijk signed for the Reds from Southampton in 2018, three years after his German manager arrived at Anfield.
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The pair won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, two Carabao Cups, the Super Cup and Club World Cup over seven years.
Klopp made an emotional exit in the summer of 2024, but Van Dijk has remained at Liverpool and has a contract until June 2027.
Now at the World Cup, they reunited for a photo that was posted on Klopp’s Instagram page.
The Netherlands at the World Cup so far
Following their convincing win over Sweden, the Netherlands are all but through to the last 32.
They are top of Group F and ahead of Japan on goals scored ahead of their last match against Tunisia, who have been eliminated.
As it stands, the Netherlands will meet Morocco in the last 32 as they look to challenge for World Cup glory once again.
The Netherlands are on course for the knockout stagesGettyThe Netherlands have been runners-up on three occasions, with their last such finish coming in 2010.
Their three World Cup final appearances is the most for any nation to not win the tournament.
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