During Liverpool's final pre‑season friendly, a seemingly minor incident slipped past most of the Anfield crowd. The match, a 2-0 victory over Como in which Jeremy Jacquet made an impressive debut, ended up highlighting a subtle but potentially significant issue for the new manager, Andoni Iraola. In the first half, a heated exchange occurred between midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai and captain Virgil van Dijk. Szoboszlai had pressed high, only to see the ball played into the space behind the Dutch defender.
Frustrated, he gestured angrily at Van Dijk, who had not moved forward to close the gap. Fast‑forward to the opening weeks of the Premier League, and a similar scenario unfolded within five minutes of Liverpool's clash with Newcastle United.
The lack of Van Dijk's upward movement was cited as a contributing factor to Newcastle's opening goal. While Anthony Elanga's 61‑metre sprint earned the headlines, the underlying problem was that William Osula was able to feed the ball to him without any defender challenging, a point highlighted by former Liverpool stalwart Jamie Carrington on Sky Sports. Carrington remarked, "If Van Dijl had been higher up the pitch, he could have closed down that pass and possibly prevented the danger." He added that the defender, now 35, was entering the twilight of an extraordinary career, comparing the situation to John Terry under Andre Villas‑Boas, who also resisted dropping deep to engage in high‑press battles. Carrington went on to stress that Liverpool's midfield needed more protection, and that Van Dijk himself required support.
"This might be the first season where he cannot shield others; he now needs shielding," he said, questioning whether Iraola's system would provide the necessary cover. Iraola's reputation precedes him. In three seasons at Bournemouth, he transformed a modest side into one of the league's most exciting outfits, championing an aggressive, high‑pressing philosophy.
That approach, however, places extraordinary demands on the defensive line. Teams that press high often leave large spaces behind them, and Bournemouth last season recorded the highest direct speed against any Premier League side, meaning opponents could transition quickly through those gaps. At Liverpool, the same vulnerability could be exposed. In the Newcastle game, Milos Kerkez failed to track down Elanga, a scenario that does not play to Van Dijk's strengths.
While the Dutchman's prime years showcased a blend of aerial dominance, composure on the ball, and an uncanny ability to read the game, certain physical attributes inevitably wane with age. His passing range remains impressive, and he still commands the penalty area with authority, but when the ball is lost around the halfway line, the space he must cover can become problematic for even the most seasoned centre‑back. Statistical evidence supports the notion that Van Dijk's pace has declined.
The fastest top‑speed recorded in his Premier League career came during his debut season with Southampton, shortly after leaving Celtic. His peak speed while wearing Liverpool's shirt was logged during the title‑winning 2019‑20 campaign under Jürgen Klopp, a period now several years in the past. Over the last three seasons, his recorded top speed has steadily dropped, indicating that sheer acceleration is no longer a reliable asset. Consequently, Van Dijk now leans heavily on his physical strength and intelligent positioning.
Yet, when the defensive line is forced to manage larger gaps created by a high press, even the best positional sense can be stretched thin. If the midfielders ahead press aggressively and the centre‑back does not follow, Liverpool could be left vulnerable to quick counters, a risk that Iraola must mitigate.
The brief tension between Szoboszlai and Van Dijk seemed to dissolve quickly. After Van Dijk scored a penalty to secure a point at Newcastle, he praised his teammate, highlighting Szoboszlai's emerging leadership qualities and stating, "He is here to take over." The comment hinted at a possible future shift in responsibility, but the timing remains uncertain.
With Mohamed Salah's role at Liverpool undergoing rapid changes earlier in the season, the dynamics within the squad are in flux, and Van Dijk's position under Iraola warrants close monitoring. Looking ahead, Liverpool's midfield could become a double‑edged sword for Van Dijk. A congested midfield that presses high may leave the backline exposed, demanding that the veteran defender adapt his game further—perhaps by delegating some pressing duties to a more mobile partner or by adjusting the team's overall pressing triggers.
Whether Iraola will tweak his system to accommodate an ageing but still world‑class centre‑back, or whether Van Dijk will need to reinvent his role, remains to be seen. One thing is clear: the balance between a high‑pressing philosophy and the physical realities of a 35‑year‑old defender will be a crucial narrative in Liverpool's campaign this season.