Van Dijk is ‘overrated’, error-prone Do not compare with Koulibaly, John Terry and Rio Ferdinand.
Van Dijk should not be compared with Koulibaly nor Chelsea legend John Terry and of course not with Manchester United Rio Ferdinand as he is not in their league.
Van Dijk set Liverpool back a whopping £75million in January 2018 and quickly helped the Reds in reaching back-to-back Champions League finals – lifting the trophy in 2019.
He then played a key role in Liverpool’s first top-flight title success in 30 years when they romped to glory in 2020.
However, former Chelsea man Jason Cundy has given an alternative view on the Dutch defender, claiming he is overrated and error-prone.
“I think he’s overrated personally. I think there’s a lot of media love in with what Van Dijk has done. There’s no doubt he’s a brilliant centre-half, he makes too many mistakes – mistakes that I think go unnoticed.” Cundy told talkSPORT.
“There was a goal they conceded when they went out a couple of seasons ago during covid in the Champions League and he has this languid style of run. He seems to try and bide time but he doesn’t react.”
Whilst Cundy accepts Van Dijk has shown good form since arriving at Anfield from Southampton, the former Spurs and Chelsea defender says his flaws were evident in Saturday’s defeat at the Vitality Stadium.
“He was dragging down [Dominic] Solanke. That’s poor centre-half play even though he’s on the other side.
“I think he’s had a good 18 months and I know the injury has had an impact on that. But that goal [by Phillip Billing] was not about the injury. Once he [Solanke] gets away from him on that right side, he [Van Dijk] seems to stop and misjudge the situation.
Cundy even went one better by claiming that Van Dijk isn’t in the same mould as Premier League legends and former England defensive partnership, Terry and Ferdinand.
Cundy added: “People compare him with John Terry and Rio Ferdinand, he’s not in the same league – he can’t lace their boots.”