Virgil van Dijk has reacted strongly to claims he influenced Ronald Koeman’s tactics during the Netherlands’ World Cup campaign.
In an unusually heated press conference of the Liverpool captain, the centre-back strongly denied the notion that he had a hand in tactics in the round of 16 defeat to Morocco that saw them crash out of the competition.
“One of your colleagues also said, of course, that it was my idea to switch to playing with a back five. That’s total nonsense,” Van Dijk told a reporter.
“The fact is that we simply failed at the World Cup – those are the hard facts.
“We didn’t play a good World Cup. It’s not about me. You act together, you’re a team. Your claim that I destroyed Dutch football after the World Cup, that kind of thing has no basis.
“The plan was concocted by the staff. They are spreading nonsense to make it look even worse. This happens far too often.
“They told me it was my fault that we played with five, that Ronald Koeman and I have destroyed Dutch football.
“The plan worked for 89 minutes, although it was a bad game. We almost broke. The idea that I destroyed Dutch football makes absolutely no sense. I didn’t decide.”
Van Dijk excited to continue with Xavi
Van Dijk, 35, could earn his 100th cap for the Netherlands if he plays in all four Nations League games against Germany, Greece and twice against Serbia.
The centre-back admitted he considered retiring from international football after the World Cup, but said a chat with new manager Xavi, formerly of Barcelona, was enough to keep him in the national style.
“I needed a holiday with my family and then an important meeting with the national coach: after 10 seconds it was clear that he would continue,” added the defender.
“What did he say? That I’m Virgil van Dijk. It’s about trust, appreciation, how important you are to the team. Physically there is – and was – no doubt, but you also want to feel appreciation and pleasure.”