During Liverpool's recent pre‑season friendly against Como, a relatively quiet incident unfolded that may have gone unnoticed by the Anfield crowd at the time. The match, which ended in a 2-0 victory for Andoni Iraola's side thanks to a debut performance from Jeremy Jacquet, featured a brief but telling disagreement in the first half between midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai and captain Virgil van Dijk. Szoboszlai pressed high, only to see the ball slipped past him into the space behind the Dutch defender. Frustrated, the Hungarian midfielder expressed his irritation that Van Dijk had not moved up to close the gap.
Fast‑forward to the opening weeks of the Premier League campaign, and the same issue resurfaced within the first five minutes of Liverpool's encounter with Newcastle United. Observers noted that Van Dijk's reluctance to push higher up the pitch contributed to Newcastle's opening goal. While Anthony Elanga's 61‑metre sprint to score the goal attracted most of the headlines, a closer look revealed that William Osula was able to feed the ball to Elanga without any Liverpool defender pressing, a point highlighted by former player Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports.
Carragher argued that "Virgil van Dijk should be higher initially and if he is higher he could then make the challenge there," but he also reminded viewers that the defender is now 35 years old and approaching the twilight of an illustrious career. He likened Van Dijk's situation to that of John Terry under Andre Villas‑Boas, noting that older centre‑backs often shy away from the very high‑pressing zones that modern managers demand. In Carragher's words, "You have to play to the strengths of a player like that." The former defender went on to say that Liverpool not only need protection in midfield, but Van Dijk himself requires support.
"This is probably the first season where he cannot help anyone else; he needs help himself," Carragher warned, raising the question of whether Iraola's system will provide that assistance. Iraola, who earned a reputation for his aggressive, high‑pressing style during his three‑year spell at Bournemouth, has now taken the reins at Liverpool. His Bournemouth side was known for its rapid transition and high defensive line, which unfortunately also meant that opponents often had more space behind them. In fact, Bournemouth recorded the highest direct speed against any Premier League team last season, meaning that opponents could advance the ball more quickly than against any other side.
Translating that approach to Liverpool presents a set of new challenges. While Milos Kerkez was unable to catch up with Elanga's run, the scenario does not play to Van Dijk's strengths.
The Dutchman still possesses the classic attributes of a world‑class centre‑back: aerial dominance, composure in the box, and an excellent passing range. However, his ability to cover large spaces on the halfway line—especially when the team is out of possession—has become more questionable as he ages.
Statistical evidence supports the notion that Van Dijk's raw speed has declined. The highest top‑speed he ever recorded in the Premier League came during his debut season with Southampton after leaving Celtic. His fastest sprint in a Liverpool shirt was logged during the title‑winning 2019‑20 campaign under Jurgen Klopp, but over the past three seasons his top‑speed figures have steadily dropped.
Consequently, he now relies more heavily on physical strength and intelligent positioning rather than sheer pace. The problem for Liverpool is that a high‑pressing system demands defenders who can either step up quickly or cover the space left behind. If the midfield presses aggressively and Van Dijk does not follow, the opposition can exploit the gap with swift counter‑attacks. This tactical mismatch could become a recurring issue throughout the season if not addressed.
The brief tension between Van Dijk and Szoboszlai seemed to dissipate quickly. After Van Dijk saved a point for Liverpool with a crucial penalty against Newcastle, he praised his teammate's leadership, stating, "He is here to take over." Yet the underlying question remains: when will that leadership transition actually happen? The season has already witnessed rapid changes, most notably Mohamed Salah's unexpected shift in status at the club. Van Dijk's role under Iraola is therefore a storyline worth monitoring, especially as Liverpool's midfield continues to evolve and may place additional strain on the ageing defender.
In summary, while Van Dijk remains a formidable presence in defensive duels and a reliable distributor from the back, his advancing age and diminishing speed could clash with Iraola's high‑pressing philosophy. The success of Liverpool this season may hinge on how well the coaching staff can adapt the system to protect their veteran captain, perhaps by providing additional cover in midfield or by adjusting the pressing triggers to suit his physical capabilities.
The balance between maintaining an aggressive, entertaining style and safeguarding the strengths of one of the game's greatest centre‑backs will be a delicate one, and it will be fascinating to watch how it unfolds over the coming months.