Liverpool’s draw at Sunderland raised fresh questions after two former players blamed Virgil van Dijk for the goal his team conceded.
Van Dijk’s Error Shifted the Match
Liverpool entered the game under pressure. They needed a calm night. They needed control. And for long periods, they actually had it. They kept the ball. They pushed Sunderland back. And they gave away almost nothing.
However, the match still felt tense. It felt slow. It felt like one mistake could change everything. And then, it did.
In the 67th minute, Van Dijk tried to play a pass into midfield. But the idea was fine, but the execution was not. The ball went straight to Chemsdine Talbi. Suddenly, Sunderland had a chance.
Talbi drove forward with purpose. Van Dijk moved back with caution. And Alisson waited, unsure of what would happen next.
Then came the key moment. Talbi struck the ball. Van Dijk turned away. And the shot deflected off him. The small touch sent the ball into the far corner. Alisson could not reach it. And Sunderland had the lead.
Right after the goal, the entire stadium felt different. Liverpool looked shocked. Sunderland grew confident. And the game became harder for the visitors.
Although Liverpool equalised through a fortunate strike from Florian Wirtz, the damage had already been done.
Thompson Says Van Dijk Reacted Too Slowly
Phil Thompson spoke first. He did not hide his view. He said Virgil van Dijk panicked. And he explained why.
Thompson felt the first mistake was forgivable. Every defender misplaces passes. Every captain makes errors. But the next part of the play is what bothered him.
According to Thompson, Van Dijk needed to close Talbi down immediately. Instead, he backed away. And he gave the forward time to shoot.
Thompson pointed out something simple: great defenders recover fast. They block shots. Move toward danger. They do not turn away from the ball.
He insisted that Talbi should never have been allowed to pick his spot. Thompson also said Liverpool’s reaction as a whole was slow. In his view, the team looked surprised instead of ready.
Even after Wirtz scored the equaliser, Thompson felt the real story remained the same. Liverpool’s leaders were not forceful enough. And in a match with so few chances, that hesitation cost them.
Nicol Says Van Dijk ‘Got Everything Wrong’
Soon after, Steve Nicol added his voice. And surprisingly, he agreed with nearly every word Thompson said.
Nicol explained that mistakes happen. What matters, however, is what you do next. And in his opinion, Van Dijk did not respond like an elite defender.
He noted the pass to Alex Mac Allister. He said the idea was risky. And he felt Van Dijk should have recognised that the midfielder was not ready for it.
Then Nicol highlighted the part that frustrated him most. After losing the ball, Van Dijk stayed passive. He did not step forward. did not make himself big. He did not block the shot. Instead, he turned sideways. And that gave Talbi the perfect angle.
Nicol summed it up clearly: “He got everything wrong.”
The comment was harsh. But it showed how serious both former players were about the moment.
Author’s Opinion
In my view, both pundits are right. Van Dijk has been strong all season, but this moment showed hesitation. And at this level, hesitation is dangerous. Yet I also believe one mistake cannot define him. He remains Liverpool’s most important defender. However, he remains the calmest presence in the back line.
However, he must respond now. He must lead again. Because when Van Dijk is confident, Liverpool feel safe. And when he is unsure, the entire team suffers.
