People are totally wrong to write Virgil van Dijk off and here are three stats which prove it - opinion

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It has become far too easy to make Virgil van Dijk the face of Liverpool’s problems whenever results dip. A few difficult moments have been used to paint a picture of decline, as though Liverpool’s captain is now surviving on reputation rather than still setting standards.That argument falls apart when you look at the numbers.

Just how bad do you want Arne Slot gone? 😬 Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images Van Dijk is still driving Liverpool in and out of possessionThe final third passing stat is especially telling. When a team has structural issues around it, the elite defender often ends up cleaning up more.Liverpool’s wider struggles have distorted the conversationThis is where the criticism of Van Dijk has gone wrong.

Too many people have judged him by Liverpool’s inconsistency rather than by his own output.Even Ben Foster said Gabriel is now better than the former Southampton player this season.In reality, these numbers suggest he is still performing the hardest parts of the role. Even if there are areas of the squad that need refreshing, Van Dijk still looks like a cornerstone rather than a problem.