Virgil van Dijk has hit back sharply at claims he influenced Ronald Koeman’s tactics during the World Cup in Netherlands.
In an extremely heated press conference from the Liverpool captain, the centre-back strongly refuted suggestions that he was involved in the tactics that eliminated Morocco in the last 32.
“Of course one of your colleagues also said it was my idea to switch to a back five. That’s complete nonsense,” Van Dijk told a reporter.
“The fact is we failed at the World Cup; these are the hard facts.
“We did not have a good World Cup. It has nothing to do with me. You performed together; you are a team. Your claim that I destroyed Dutch football after the World Cup – that is completely unfounded.
“The plan was set by staff. The spread of nonsense makes me look worse. It happens all the time.
“I was told that it was my fault that we played with a five-a-side, that Ronald Koeman and I had ruined Dutch football.
“The plan worked for 89 minutes, even though it was a bad game. We almost broke through. My idea of destroying Dutch football makes absolutely no sense. I didn’t decide that.”
Van Dijk is delighted to continue moving forward under Xavi
Van Dijk, 35, could reach 100 caps for the Netherlands if he plays in all four of the Nations League games against Germany, Greece and two games against Serbia.
The centre-back admits he considered quitting the national team after the World Cup but says a chat with new former Barcelona coach Xavi was enough to keep him in the squad.
“I needed to spend a holiday with my family and then had an important meeting with the national team coach: after ten seconds it was clear to me that I would continue,” the defender added.
“What did he say? I’m Virgil van Dijk. It’s about trust, appreciation and how important you are to the team. There’s no doubt that physically it is – and it was – but you also want to feel appreciated and happy.”