Jamie Carragher Outlines The One Problem Virgil Van Dijk Has At Liverpool

It didn't take long for the optimism at Liverpool to disappear. Just one week after beating Manchester City and they were back to losing ways. Jamie Carragher thought the loss was typical with a larger problem they have.

Already in January Liverpool fans have seen them sign Virgil van Dijk, sell Philippe Coutinho, beat Everton in the FA Cup, end Manchester City's unbeaten run in the Premier League and then lose to bottom side Swansea, it really is a rollercoaster.

The signing of Van Dijk was a huge high point as the team's defence was causing Jurgen Klopp and their fans all sorts of nightmares and when the Dutchman scored the winner in the Merseyside derby in the FA Cup third round he was an instant hero.

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Van Dijk actually missed the win over City and made his league debut against Swansea on Monday night. But things didn't go according to plan with the Swans winning 1-0 and the former Saint's header rebounded to Alfie Mawson for the goal.

After the match Jamie Carragher, speaking on Sky Sports, nailed the problem saying:

"This thing about Van Dijk is going to come in and fix this problem, it is absolute nonsense. That one player comes in and fixes the whole problem, he's not that good.

"If we were playing against towering defenders like Tony Adams and Jaap Stam and you were taking a set piece, you'd say 'keep it away from him' or take the man away. The idea that Van Dijk is going to head everything away is just a joke. It's not happening."

Van Dijk rises to win a header. Image: PA Images.

The former Liverpool defender also outlined what it was that Van Dijk did wrong for the goal, adding, "It's poor from Virgil van Dijk. In some ways, he shouldn't have gone for it.

"It's not really his header. Maybe he's trying to do too much in some ways. You see Van Dijk, he's actually heading it down because it hasn't come far enough for him really."

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The loss last night means that Liverpool are now just two points above Spurs in the top four and will be looking over their shoulders to stay in the Champions League places.

Swansea's win now puts them just three points shy of safety as the relegation battle continues to heat up.

Topics: Liverpool, Football News, Premier League, Virgil Van Dijk, swansea, Jamie Carragher

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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