"Seriously, seriously tired" - Liverpool told their star player is "overcooked"

Former Crystal Palace defender Damian Delaney had some harsh words to say about Liverpool's Virgil Van Dijk, stating the Dutchman looks ‘overcooked’.

It has been a tough start to the season for the Reds, and they have seriously struggled to find form in any competition as of yet.

Their 4-1 defeat to Napoli in midweek leaves them 3rd in their Champions League group, with their blushes only being spared by Rangers who sit bottom after being thumped 4-0 by Dutch champions Ajax.

In addition, having only amassed two wins in the first six Premier League games, and sit in 7th spot, 6 points behind league leaders Arsenal.

Part of the reason for Liverpool’s downturn in form is the underperformance of many of their key men.

Van Dijk’s poor showing in Naples certainly wasn't an anomaly this season and he has been heavily criticised by pundits in the last few weeks.

Damian Delaney was the latest to get in on the act and question the Dutchman’s recent performances.

“He definitely looks overcooked to me,” said the Irishman, when speaking to Off The Ball.

“He looks seriously, seriously tired. If you watch him play, then everything is reactionary. It’s happening and then he is reacting. And that’s not what he’s about.

“He’s not a blood and guts defender. He’s not a Vidic or a Martinez, who has come into Manchester United."

"This guy is a reader. Two steps ahead of everybody else. He goes in at half-time with a clean pair of shorts on."

“I suppose, if your concentration levels drop off, even by a couple of percent, and you are a reader of the game and you are reacting, then I tell you if you are reacting at that level, then you are done and over. He looks spent.”

Klopp will be hoping his star defender can return to his pre-injury levels, that saw him labelled by many as the best centre-back in the world, and begin to revive his side’s season.