Virgil van Dijk clashed with a Dutch reporter during a heated press conference with the Netherlands, making his frustration over false claims clear.
After talks with new Dutch manager Xavi, Van Dijk is committed to extending his international career following a disappointing World Cup campaign that led to various accusations.
One included a story that suggested it was Liverpool’s captain who advocated for playing with five at the back in their defeat against Morocco, a change from their usual 4-3-3 set-up.
In his first press conference since the summer, Van Dijk set the record straight.
“A colleague of yours said that I had said we should play with five defenders against Morocco,” Van Dijk said, as translated by FCUpdate.nl.
“That was blown out of proportion. It is sheer nonsense. Nonsense is being spread to make me look even worse. That happens far too often.
“I was told that Ronald (Koeman) and I have destroyed Dutch football. That goes much too far for me.”
His irritation was obvious, and a journalist from Dutch outlet De Telegraaf only stoked the flames when it was said to Van Dijk that he was being a “bit surly” and that “normally you’re a nice guy.”
Van Dijk responded: “Sometimes things need to be said, right? You can’t just listen to all that whining. I am very open.”
After a repeat of the interaction and confusion from the Reds captain as to whether there was a question or not, Van Dijk added: “I’ve never had anything against the media.
“But when nonsense is being...
This visual verification may not be accessible to you. Use the audio verification instead: click play to hear 6 digits, wait for the audio to finish, then move forward using the control you normall...