Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk branded ‘lazy and nonchalant’ by Netherlands legend

Centre-back was also accused of having an ‘absolute stinker’ by former Red Jamie Carragher after gameweek 1

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Virgil van Dijk’s attitude has been criticised by Netherlands legend Wim Kieft, who has accused the Liverpool defender of becoming “lazy and nonchalant”.

Van Dijk, who has won the Champions League and Premier League with Liverpool since joining from Southampton in 2018, finished second in last year’s Ballon d’Or.

But former Reds centre-back Jamie Carragher said the Netherlands international had been “arrogant” and had an “absolute stinker” after Jurgen Klopp’s side’s opening-day 4-3 win over Leeds, and Euro 1988 winner Kieft has suggested that Van Dijk, 29, must improve his attitude.

“He is not sharp, he behaves with the Oranje and Liverpool like the finished star, the great coaching leader, who shows a little too much that he does not like his fellow players,” Kieft told De Telegraaf.

“At the same time, he plays lazy and nonchalant himself. He makes mistakes and often runs away from defensive handiwork in matches. With his status, he should be at the forefront of the battle.

“It took Van Dijk a long time to get to the top international level. He has been there for about two seasons now, but it is important that Van Dijk remains very critical of himself. His environment also plays an important role in this.

“It's okay if his trainers shake him up a lot.”

A loose touch by Van Dijk allowed Leeds striker Patrick Bamford to score against Liverpool in a thrilling game earlier this month.

It was Van Dijk’s third mistake directly leading to a goal since the start of the 2018/19 season, more than any other player.

However, the centre-back started as Liverpool kept a clean sheet in their 2-0 victory over Chelsea on Sunday.