Dutch Journalist blames Jordan Pickford for “demise” of Virgil Van Dijk’s career

Van Dijk lashes out at referee again in the Netherlands vs Ireland game.

Dutch Journalist blames Jordan Pickford for “demise” of Virgil Van Dijk’s career

Jordan Pickford's tackle on Virgil Van Dijk (Via Sky Sports)

Three Years after that crunching tackle from Jordan Pickford, Liverpool star Virgil Van Dijk is still recovering from it, says Dutch Journalist. Van Dijk was on the wrong end of things when Liverpool clashed against Everton in the Merseyside Derby back in 2020. The English keeper recklessly clattered into the Dutch when the defender attacked a loose ball in the 6-yard box.

It ruptured the Liverpool defender’s Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), sidelining the player for the next 254 days. The tackle not only derailed Liverpool’s season but also his career, as per Dutch Journalist Henk Spaan. The Journalist quoted an incident during the 2-1 win against Ireland in the Euro Qualifiers. He pointed to an incident where an Irish player went past Van Dijk with ease, a player who he would’ve once ‘laughed at and taken the ball from without wasting a drop of sweat’.

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Van Dijk has had a fall-off from grace. He had a world-class season back in 2019 where he was runner-up to Lionel Messi in the Ballon d’Or votings. Since then he has been unable to replicate the same neither at the club nor at the country level. Pickford’s tackle was labeled a “leg-breaker” by former Reds player Peter Crouch. Meanwhile, Tony Cascarino drew parallels with that of Roy Keane’s career-ending tackle on Alfie Haaland.

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Virgil Van Dijk lashes out at referee during Netherlands match

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Virgil Van Dijk after giving away a penalty vs. Ireland (Via The Mirror)

Only days after being sent off against Newcastle in the Premier League, Virgil Van Dijk has made headlines yet again after his antics during the game against Ireland. The Liverpool defender was penalized for a handball inside the penalty area. Shane Duffy‘s header near the first post struck Van Dijk on the hand before the referee blew the whistle. Following this, the Dutch skipper lashed out at the referee pleading his innocence.

Adam Idah buried the penalty to give the home side an early lead just 4 minutes into the game. Van Dijk’s animated reaction to the penalty drew a lot of attention. Since this happened just days after he was heaped with a hefty fine of £100,000 for his foul language against the match referee in the Newcastle vs. Liverpool match.

Van Dijk’s animated response in the International game came as a surprise to many because the player apologized for his language against referee John Brooks and the VAR officials. But it seems he has not learned from his mistakes. His temper got the better of him against Ireland.

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