“NOT LEARNING ON THE JOB”: Van Dijk Slams Teammate After Narrow Sunderland Escape
STADIUM OF LIGHT — Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has delivered a scathing assessment of the Reds’ performance following their tense 1-0 victory over Sunderland on Wednesday night. Despite the three points, the Dutchman was visibly fuming at the final whistle, later targeting an unnamed teammate for a display he described as “near-disastrous.”
The match, decided by a 61st-minute deflected header from Van Dijk himself, was far from the comfortable outing Arne Slot’s side had hoped for. Sunderland, buoyed by a raucous home crowd, exploited defensive lapses and kept the Liverpool backline under constant duress.
The Breaking Point
Speaking to reporters in the tunnel, Van Dijk did not hold back. While he didn’t name the player directly, his comments were widely interpreted as a critique of the tactical indiscipline shown during a chaotic second half.
> “See the way he made us struggle today on the pitch? If I hadn’t stepped up and taken control, we would have lost that game,” Van Dijk stated, his voice tight with frustration. “We are Liverpool, and we cannot afford to have people ‘learning on the job’ while the title is at stake.”
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The “learning on the job” remark is particularly pointed. Liverpool entered the match trailing the league leaders and can ill-afford to drop points against mid-table opposition if they hope to secure a Champions League spot or push for the summit.
Tactical Chaos on Wearside
The “disaster” Van Dijk referred to likely stems from a 15-minute period in the second half where Liverpool’s midfield structure collapsed. Sunderland’s Brian Brobbey and Chemsdine Talbi repeatedly found themselves in one-on-one situations with a retreating Reds defense.
* The Stats: Liverpool dominated possession (64%), but allowed Sunderland 12 shots, 5 of which required desperate interventions from Van Dijk or Ibrahima Konaté.
* The Goal: Van Dijk’s header from a Mohamed Salah corner was the only moment of quality in a game defined by Liverpool’s uncharacteristic sloppiness.
A Captain Under Pressure
Van Dijk’s outburst comes at a time of high tension for the club. After a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to Manchester City just days ago, the squad’s patience appears to be wearing thin. This isn’t the first time the captain has demanded more; in November, he labeled the team’s form a “mess,” calling for collective responsibility.
However, this specific targeting of a teammate’s “learning” suggests a rift between the veteran leadership and the newer or more inexperienced members of the squad. With key players like Dominik Szoboszlai suspended and the squad depth being tested, Van Dijk’s leadership style is being pushed to the limit.
What’s Next for the Reds?
Arne Slot now faces the challenge of managing a dressing room where the captain is publicly questioning the readiness of his teammates. With a crucial weekend fixture looming, the “learning” phase must end immediately if Liverpool are to stay in the hunt.
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