During Liverpool's recent pre‑season friendly against Como, a seemingly minor incident slipped past most of the Anfield crowd. The match, which ended 2-0 thanks to a debut performance from Jeremy Jacquet, was the final warm‑up before the new campaign.
Yet, in the first half, a brief spat unfolded between midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai and the club's veteran centre‑back Virgil van Dijk. Szoboszlai pressed high, only to see a simple pass from Como drift into the space behind the Dutch defender.
Frustrated, the Hungarian winger gestured angrily, questioning why Van Derry had not moved forward to close the gap. Fast forward to the opening weeks of the Premier League, and the same scenario resurfaced within five minutes of Liverpool's clash with Newcastle United. Observers noted that Van Dijk's reluctance to push up contributed to Newcastle's early chance.
While Anthony Elanga's 61‑metre sprint for the winning goal attracted most of the headlines, former Liverpool stalwart Jamie Carragher pointed out on Sky Sports that William Osula was able to release the ball to Elanga because no one, including Van Dijk, was positioned to press. Carragher summed it up succinctly: "Virgil van Dijk should be higher initially and if he is higher he could then make the challenge there." He then added a note of context, reminding viewers that the defender is now 35 years old and approaching the twilight of a career that has already placed him among the modern greats of the position.
Carragher likened Van Dijk's current hesitation to the way John Terry behaved under Andre Villas‑Boas at Chelsea – a seasoned centre‑back who preferred to stay back rather than chase every high press. The Basque coach, Andoni Iraola, has built a reputation for an aggressive, high‑pressing style during his three‑year stint at Bournemouth. That approach demands that the back line stay compact but also be willing to step out of the traditional defensive line to cut out passing lanes. Bournemouth, under Iraola, recorded the highest direct speed‑against metric in the league last season, meaning opponents moved the ball through the final third faster than any other side.
When a team presses high, the space behind the defensive line inevitably widens, and a defender who does not track that space can leave the midfield exposed. At Liverpool, this tactical nuance could become a genuine problem. In the Newcastle game, Milos Kerkez struggled to keep up with Elanga, but the bigger issue was that the space created by a high press did not play to Van Dijk's strengths. In his prime, Van Dijk combined aerial dominance, composure on the ball, and a remarkable ability to read the game.
However, certain physical attributes, particularly raw pace, tend to diminish with age. Data from his Premier League career shows that his fastest recorded sprint came during his debut season with Southampton, shortly after his move from Celtic. His top speed during Liverpool's title‑winning 2019‑20 campaign was respectable, but over the past three seasons it has steadily declined, making him less suited to cover large gaps quickly. The modern centre‑back now relies more on positioning, strength, and anticipation.
Those qualities remain intact for Van Dijk, but they are tested when a high press forces the defensive line to operate further up the pitch. If the midfield fails to win the ball back quickly, the defender is left to cover a larger area, increasing the risk of being caught out of position. This is especially relevant given Liverpool's recent midfield struggles, where the lack of a cohesive, press‑resistant unit has forced the back line to shoulder extra responsibility. The brief tension between Szoboszlai and Van Dijk on the pitch was quickly resolved.
After the match, the Dutch captain praised his teammate's leadership and even suggested that Szoboszlai could eventually take over the captaincy, saying, "He is here to take over." Nonetheless, the underlying question remains: can Van Dijk adapt his game to Iraola's demanding system, or will the club need to provide additional cover to protect their ageing star? Iraola's tenure at Liverpool will be closely watched, especially as the club navigates a season where Mohamed Salah's role has already shifted dramatically.
The interplay between a high‑pressing midfield and a centre‑back whose speed is no longer what it once was could dictate Liverpool's defensive stability. If Van Dijk receives adequate support from midfield and perhaps a more mobile partner alongside him, his experience and reading of the game may offset any loss of pace. Conversely, without that protection, Liverpool could find themselves vulnerable to quick transitions, a scenario that would force Iraola to reconsider his tactical blueprint.
In summary, the incident with Szoboszlai was a small flashpoint that highlighted a larger strategic dilemma: balancing a high‑pressing philosophy with the physical realities of an ageing defensive cornerstone. As the season progresses, the effectiveness of Iraola's system will hinge on whether Liverpool can adapt to Van Dijk's evolving skill set while maintaining the aggressive intensity that defines the manager's approach.