During Liverpool's final pre‑season friendly, a 2‑0 victory over Como, a relatively quiet incident unfolded that may foreshadow a tactical dilemma for Andoni Iraola's side. The match, which saw Jeremy Jacquet make an impressive debut, was largely celebrated for its result, yet a brief spat between midfield dynamo Dominik Szoboszlai and veteran centre‑back Virgil van Dijk slipped past most of the Anfield crowd. In the first half, Szoboszlai pressed high, forcing the Como defence to play a long ball into the space behind the Liverpool back line. The ball landed in the gap that Van Dijk was expected to cover, but the Dutch defender held his position instead of stepping forward to close it.
Szoboszlai’s frustration was evident; he gestured angrily toward the space where Van Dijk should have been, signalling a lack of cohesion in the pressing structure. Fast forward to the opening weeks of the Premier League campaign, and a similar scenario unfolded against Newcastle United. Within the first five minutes of that game, Liverpool conceded a goal that many pundits, including former defender Jamie Carragher, linked directly to Van Dijk’s reluctance to push higher up the pitch.
Anthony Elanga’s blistering 61‑metre run culminated in a finish, but the build‑up was facilitated by William Osula’s pass that went unchallenged because the centre‑back line was sitting too deep. Carragher argued that a higher‑positioned Van Dijk could have closed the passing lane and possibly prevented the goal. Carragher’s analysis highlighted a broader issue: Van Dijk is now 35 years old and entering the twilight of a career that has already seen him rank among the greatest defenders of his generation.
Age inevitably brings a gradual loss of pace and recovery speed, traits that are essential for a team that relies on an aggressive, high‑pressing philosophy. Carragher drew a parallel with John Terry under André Villas‑Boas at Chelsea, noting that older defenders often become reluctant to commit to the space in front of them, preferring to stay compact and protect the centre rather than engage in the press.
Iraola, who earned plaudits for transforming Bournemouth into one of the most exciting, high‑intensity sides in the Premier League, now faces a conundrum. His tactical blueprint demands that every player, including the back four, contribute to the press.
The downside of this approach is the creation of large pockets of space behind the defensive line, which can be exploited by quick attackers. Bournemouth, during Iraola’s tenure, recorded the highest direct speed‑against metric in the league, meaning opponents were able to move the ball forward faster than any other team. If Liverpool were to adopt a similar style without adjusting the defensive responsibilities, they could become vulnerable to precisely the kind of counter‑attacks that Newcastle capitalised on. Van Dijk’s skill set remains impressive.
He continues to dominate aerial duels, organise the defence, and distribute the ball with a range that few centre‑backs possess. However, the modern game also demands that defenders be comfortable defending in the half‑space and occasionally stepping into the midfield to close down passing lanes.
Evidence suggests that Van Dijk’s top speed, once recorded during his debut season with Southampton and later during Liverpool’s title‑winning campaign under Jürgen Klopp, has noticeably declined over the past three seasons. While he still compensates with physical strength and positional intelligence, the margin for error has narrowed. The question now is whether Iraola will adapt his system to accommodate Van Dijk’s evolving abilities or insist on a full‑press that may overexpose the back line.
Some analysts argue that Liverpool must provide additional midfield protection, perhaps by deploying a defensive midfielder who can drop deeper when the press is triggered, thereby shielding the centre‑backs from being caught out of position. Others suggest a hybrid approach, where the press is applied selectively, allowing Van Dijk to maintain a slightly deeper line when facing teams with rapid transition play. The brief tension between Szoboszlai and Van Dijk after the Como match seemed to dissolve quickly.
Van Dijk later praised his teammate’s leadership after scoring a crucial penalty against Newcastle, even suggesting that Szoboszlai could eventually assume a more prominent role within the squad. Yet the underlying issue remains: as Liverpool’s midfield continues to evolve—especially after Mohamed Salah’s unexpected status change early in the season—the demands placed on Van Dijk may increase. In practical terms, Liverpool could look to rotate Van Dijk with a younger, faster centre‑back in games that require an intense press, while using his experience and composure in matches where a more measured approach is advantageous.
Alternatively, the coaching staff might implement a staggered pressing system, where the front three and midfield initiate the press, and the back line holds a slightly deeper line, stepping up only when the ball is within a manageable distance. Ultimately, the success of Iraola’s Liverpool will hinge on how well the manager balances the desire for an exhilarating, high‑pressing style with the realistic capabilities of his veteran captain. Van Dijk’s leadership, reading of the game, and technical ability are still invaluable assets, but they must be integrated into a system that does not expose his diminishing speed. Observers will be watching closely as the season progresses, eager to see whether the Dutchman can adapt to Iraola’s demands or whether the club will need to adjust its tactical blueprint to protect one of its most iconic defenders.