During Liverpool's final pre‑season friendly, a relatively quiet incident unfolded that may have larger implications for the club's upcoming campaign. The match against Como ended in a comfortable 2‑0 victory for Andoni Iraola's side, with newcomer Jeremy Jacquet making a promising debut. Yet, in the first half, a brief dispute between midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai and captain Virgil van Dijk caught the attention of a few observant fans. Szoboszlai pressed high, only to see the ball slipped past the Dutch defender into the space behind him.
Frustrated, the Hungarian winger gestured angrily, questioning why Van Dijk had not advanced to close the gap. Fast‑forward to the opening weeks of the Premier League, and the same scenario resurfaced during Liverpool's early clash with Newcastle United. Within the first five minutes, Newcastle's Anthony Elanga launched a blistering 61‑metre run that culminated in a goal.
While the highlight reel celebrated Elanga's speed, former Liverpool stalwart Jamie Carragher pointed out on Sky Sports that the move was only possible because William Osula was able to feed the ball without any Liverpool defender challenging him. Carragher argued that Van Dijk should have been positioned higher up the pitch, allowing him to intervene earlier and potentially prevent the danger. Carragher's criticism was not merely a tactical observation; it touched on a broader concern about the physical limits of a 35‑year‑old centre‑back who is approaching the twilight of his career. He drew a parallel with former England captain John Terry, noting that both players, despite their immense quality, tended to shy away from the most demanding defensive actions as they aged.
"You have to play to their strengths," Carragher said, emphasizing that a veteran defender who once dominated aerial duels and organized the back line might now require additional cover, especially in a system that demands constant high pressing. Iraola's philosophy, honed during his successful three‑year spell at Bournemouth, is built around aggressive, high‑intensity football. Bournemouth, under his guidance, boasted the highest direct speed‑against statistic in the Premier League last season, meaning opponents could advance the ball more quickly against them than against any other side.
This aggressive approach creates a double‑edged sword: while it can overwhelm opponents, it also leaves large pockets of space behind the defensive line for quick attackers to exploit. At Liverpool, this tactical nuance could become problematic.
In the Newcastle match, Milos Kerkez was unable to chase down Elanga, illustrating how the space left by a high line can expose even the most seasoned defenders. Van Dijk, in his prime, combined physical dominance, aerial prowess, and a calm ball‑playing ability that allowed him to operate comfortably both inside and outside his own half.
However, certain attributes, particularly raw pace, naturally diminish with age. Statistical analysis supports this observation.
Van Dijk's highest recorded top speed came during his debut Premier League season with Southampton, a period when he was still a relatively young and explosive defender. His next peak speed was logged during Liverpool's title‑winning 2019‑20 campaign under Jürgen Klopp.
In the three seasons that followed, his maximum sprint speed has steadily declined, suggesting that he can no longer rely on sheer acceleration to recover positions or chase down fast forwards. Consequently, Van Dijk now leans more heavily on his physical strength, positional intelligence, and experience. While these qualities remain elite, they are tested when a high‑pressing system expects the centre‑back to step up, compress the space, and engage attackers earlier.
If the midfield fails to shield the defence adequately, the gaps left by a less mobile back‑line can be exploited by opponents with rapid transitions. The brief altercation with Szoboszlai seemed to dissolve quickly.
After Van Dijk converted a crucial penalty to secure a point at Newcastle, he publicly praised Szoboszlai's leadership and hinted that the Hungarian could eventually become a central figure in the squad. Yet, the underlying question persists: how long can Van Dijk adapt to Iraola's demanding style without additional support? Liverpool's midfield dynamics add another layer of complexity. The departure of key players and the rapid evolution of Mohamed Salah's role have already forced the team to re‑evaluate its core structure.
If the midfield cannot provide sufficient protection, Van Dijk may find himself increasingly isolated, forced to cover more ground than his physical profile comfortably allows. Looking ahead, Iraola will need to balance his desire for an aggressive, press‑heavy identity with the practical realities of his squad's composition. This could involve deploying a defensive midfielder who can drop deeper to shield the back four, rotating Van Dijk with a younger, faster centre‑back in certain matches, or adjusting the pressing triggers to reduce the defensive line's exposure.
In summary, the incident between Szoboszlai and Van Dijk serves as a microcosm of a larger tactical dilemma facing Liverpool under Iraola. The club possesses a world‑class defender whose experience and reading of the game remain unparalleled, but whose physical tools are naturally waning. Whether the manager can devise a system that maximises Van Dijk's strengths while mitigating his limitations will be a crucial factor in Liverpool's pursuit of success this season.