"No one ever says it" - Jason Cundy on Virgil van Dijk

Pundit Jason Cundy has taken aim at Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk.

Back in October 2020, the Dutchman suffered a serious knee injury against Everton at Goodison Park.

As a result, Van Dijk missed a total of 45 games for the Reds during the 2020-21 campaign.

Cundy believes that the 31-year-old has not been the same player since.

“Sorry, am I missing something? Do you see the goals Alisson conceded this evening (against Napoli earlier this week)?” he asked talkSPORT's listeners, as quoted by TEAMtalk.

“Are you watching Van Dijk defend? Can we have an adult, grown up, big boy, put your pants on conversation about Liverpool?

“Because they’re (supporters) happy to come on this station and laud it when they do this that and the other, but when there’s a mistake it’s ‘this that and the other’.

“Put your big boy pants on and have a big boy pants conversation about Van Dijk.”

Cundy further added: “No one ever says it. They think he’s the greatest centre-half this country has ever seen.

“The truth is, he’s had two good seasons and they won one Premier League.

“He’s had an injury and I feel for him, but the truth is he’s nowhere near it.”

Anfield Watch Verdict

Perhaps Van Dijk is not the same player he was during Liverpool's title-winning season (2019-20).

However, the centre-back was still exceptional for the Reds last campaign. Van Dijk averaged a WhoScored player rating of 7.18 across 34 Premier League appearances.

So, Cundy's criticism isn't exactly warranted. But, everyone is entitled to an opinion at the end of the day.

On another note, Liverpool's Premier League clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield on Saturday has been postponed due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

As things stand, the Reds' next fixture is against Ajax at home on Tuesday night (Champions League).