During Liverpool's final pre‑season friendly, a seemingly minor incident slipped past most of the Anfield crowd. The match against Como ended 2-0, with Jeremy Jacquet making an impressive debut, but the real story unfolded in the first half when a brief spat erupted between Dominik Szoboszlai and veteran centre‑back Virgil van Dijk. Szoboszlai pressed high, only to see the ball dropped into the space behind him. The Hungarian midfielder's frustration was evident as he glared at Van Dijk, who had not moved forward to narrow the gap.
Fast forward to the opening weeks of the Premier League campaign, and the same tension resurfaced within five minutes of Liverpool's clash with Newcastle United. Observers began to wonder whether Andoni Iraola's high‑pressing philosophy might clash with the aging Dutchman's natural instincts. Iraola, the Basque coach who earned plaudits for turning Bournemouth into one of the league's most dynamic outfits, insists on a relentless press that demands defenders to step out of the traditional back‑line.
Van Dijk, now 35, may find that expectation at odds with the physical realities of his later career. The Newcastle encounter highlighted the issue starkly.
While Anthony Elanga's 61‑metre sprint to score the winning goal dominated headlines, former Liverpool stalwart Jamie Carragher pointed out a subtler flaw: William Osula was able to thread a pass to Elanga without any Liverpool player, including Van Dijk, closing down the space. "Virgil should have been higher initially, and if he had been, he could have made the challenge," Carragher argued on Sky Sports. He added that asking a 35‑year‑old defender to constantly surge forward is a tall order, even for a player of Van Dijk's calibre. Carragher drew a parallel with John Terry under Andre Villas‑Boas at Chelsea, noting that the English legend also resisted dropping deep into the defensive third when asked to press.
"You have to play to the strengths of a player like that," Carragher said, emphasizing that Van Dijk's prime attributes—strength, aerial ability, and composure—remain intact, but his willingness to abandon the traditional centre‑back zone may be waning. Iraola's tactical blueprint, built on the aggressive, high‑line style that served Bournemouth so well, inevitably creates large gaps behind the defensive line. Last season Bournemouth recorded the highest direct speed against in the Premier League, meaning opponents could transition the ball faster than any other side. At Liverpool, this vulnerability could be amplified.
In the Newcastle game, Milos Kerkez's inability to track down Elanga illustrated how quickly a high line can be exploited, and it does not play to Van Dijk's strengths either. Van Dijk's skill set is still impressive. He remains a commanding presence inside the penalty area, excels at intercepting crosses, and possesses a passing range that allows him to initiate attacks from deep. However, his speed—once a hallmark of his game—has noticeably declined.
Data shows his peak top speed was recorded during his debut Premier League season with Southampton, and his fastest recorded sprint in a Liverpool shirt came during the title‑winning 2019‑20 campaign under Jurgen Klopp. Over the past three seasons, his maximum velocity has steadily dropped, making it less reliable as a defensive tool.
The natural consequence is that Van Dijk now relies more heavily on positioning, anticipation, and physicality. These qualities can mitigate a slower pace, but only if the spaces he must cover are manageable.
When a team presses high and the centre‑backs are required to step up, the distance between the defensive line and the midfield becomes critical. If Van Dijk hesitates, the opposition can exploit the void, as Newcastle did. The brief altercation with Szoboszlai seemed to dissipate quickly.
After Van Dijk rescued a point with a last‑minute penalty, he praised his teammate’s leadership, stating, "He is here to take over." Yet the underlying question remains: how long can Van Dijk sustain the physical demands of Iraola's system? The answer may hinge on whether Liverpool can provide additional protection in midfield, allowing the Dutchman to conserve energy and focus on his core defensive duties. Iraola's track record suggests he will not compromise his philosophy.
During his three‑year stint at Bournemouth, he built a side that pressed aggressively, creating exciting football but also exposing defensive frailties. At Liverpool, the stakes are higher, and the margin for error is slimmer.
If the midfield continues to be out of shape, Van Dijk may find himself increasingly isolated, forced to cover more ground than his body can comfortably manage. In summary, the early signs point to a potential mismatch between Iraola's high‑pressing ambitions and Van Dijk's evolving physical profile.
While the Dutchman's experience, intelligence, and leadership are invaluable, the modern game demands a blend of speed and stamina that may be diminishing. Liverpool will need to adapt—perhaps by deploying a defensive midfielder to shield Van Dijk or by tweaking the press to accommodate his strengths.
The coming weeks will reveal whether the partnership can evolve or if the age‑related decline will force a tactical rethink.