Virgil van Dijk

[Buzzo]

It’s not a dead rubber. Netherlands need to keep winning to ensure top spot from the Norwegians. Top spot qualify second spot play offs.

[Fivex]

Lol, might as well have been playing against zero players there

[BobTheCharmer]

It’s not a dead rubber. Netherlands need to keep winning to ensure top spot from the Norwegians. Top spot qualify second spot play offs.

It's ****ing gilbrator, of course it's a dead rubber. Just putting 11 on the pitch meant automatic 3 points.

[Buzzo]

It's ****ing gilbrator, of course it's a dead rubber. Just putting 11 on the pitch meant automatic 3 points.

But the Dutch coach isn't picking his team with an eye on what is best for Liverpool - that's the same as all international football. I'll bet the dutch fans who were at the game or watching on TV were loving watching VVD in their team.

I take your point, but for the players and fans of most nations international football is a big deal.

[Mark79]

At least it was just 2 games in this International break for Netherlands.
Virgil will be on his way back now already.

[Buzzo]

At least it was just 2 games in this International break for Netherlands.
Virgil will be on his way back now already.

Also the Andorra game is a pipe and slippers match for Virgil, he probably works harder in a training session.

[Norbs]

Is it really dirty to say that as it stands he's nowhere near the player he was before his injury? The passing is there but the defending isn't

[Corndog]

Is it really dirty to say that as it stands he's nowhere near the player he was before his injury? The passing is there but the defending isn't

Maybe it's a confidence thing, but a couple of times his recovery pace doesn't seem as fast as it was.

I could be totally wrong though as it's hard to judge that's ort of thing.

The Virgil of 2 seasons ago was the best defender I've seen play the game ever, he set a ridiculous standard and maybe if it wasn't for Pickford he'd have kept that up or maybe not, maybe he's just getting a bit older or maybe he'll get there again towards the end of the season.

Remains to be seen, still a great CB though

[Kenneth]

I think he’s the same player. Having to babysit Konate while he settles doesn’t help him, although he coped fine last week. The midfield is disfunctional at times (like today) and it’s challenging but he’s consistently our best defender, and when the team gets more possession with Fab and Thiago back then I’m sure he’ll be more relaxed.

[SB]

I think he’s the same player. Having to babysit Konate while he settles doesn’t help him, although he coped fine last week. The midfield is disfunctional at times (like today) and it’s challenging but he’s consistently our best defender, and when the team gets more possession with Fab and Thiago back then I’m sure he’ll be more relaxed.

The whole defense looks better with Fabinho holding

[danperkins]

I think he’s the same player. Having to babysit Konate while he settles doesn’t help him, although he coped fine last week. The midfield is disfunctional at times (like today) and it’s challenging but he’s consistently our best defender, and when the team gets more possession with Fab and Thiago back then I’m sure he’ll be more relaxed.

Konate had a stinker and kept leaving huge gaps in the defence that VVD had to cover and the midfield offered no protection yesterday. Really need Fab and Thiago back and for a sustained period if that is somehow possible.

[RichC]

I think he’s the same player. Having to babysit Konate while he settles doesn’t help him, although he coped fine last week. The midfield is disfunctional at times (like today) and it’s challenging but he’s consistently our best defender, and when the team gets more possession with Fab and Thiago back then I’m sure he’ll be more relaxed.

The midfield is the issue at the moment.

[Exiled_red]

The midfield is the issue at the moment.

I think we are starting to see the problem with letting Wijnaldum go or at least not properly replace him, for all the midfielders we have it's not unexpected to see so many out and have to rely on players who would normally be squad players, yesterday we were missing Fabinho, Thiago, and Naby (who went off injured) you would say that 2 of those are first choice with the other being likely to be the first to step in. But unfortunately you aren't surprised if they are missing games.

We were also missing Elliott who you could argue was first choice at the start of the season and Milner who is a very experienced and able back up. Leaving us no real options along side Henderson. Jones looks decent but is still young and developing so will be patchy in his form. Ox just doesn't seem to have it in him anymore to be a starter, he just looks like a 20 min impact sub to me now. Aside from that I don't think a 3 of Henderson, Jones and Ox has the right balance

[Big-Red-Ed]

It's such early days in his return guys. We need to be patient and as others have said he is having to mind Konate and getting fook all help from that midfield

YNWA

[danperkins]

I think we are starting to see the problem with letting Wijnaldum go or at least not properly replace him, for all the midfielders we have it's not unexpected to see so many out and have to rely on players who would normally be squad players, yesterday we were missing Fabinho, Thiago, and Naby (who went off injured) you would say that 2 of those are first choice with the other being likely to be the first to step in. But unfortunately you aren't surprised if they are missing games.

We were also missing Elliott who you could argue was first choice at the start of the season and Milner who is a very experienced and able back up. Leaving us no real options along side Henderson. Jones looks decent but is still young and developing so will be patchy in his form. Ox just doesn't seem to have it in him anymore to be a starter, he just looks like a 20 min impact sub to me now. Aside from that I don't think a 3 of Henderson, Jones and Ox has the right balance