It has been no secret that Liverpool have suffered this season with poor form and injuries galore which has plagued the club’s attempts at retaining their Premier League title from last season.
Defensive options became so limited thanks to injuries that we saw the club delve into the transfer market on Deadline Day of the January window to complete the signings of Ben Davies from Preston North End and Ozan Kabak from Schalke 04, with the latter joining on an initial six-month loan.
One of the biggest factors of Liverpool’s bad form has been the absence of £72 million rated Dutch colossus Virgil van Dijk according to former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who discussed the impact of his absence from the squad on BeIN Sports on Saturday after the club’s 3-1 defeat to Leicester City, as cited by AnfieldWatch on Twitter…
https://twitter.com/AnfieldWatch/status/1361010279161692163
It is great to see a pundit actually analyse and provide some general understanding and explanation as to why Liverpool’s are suffering from some poor fortune right now rather than just labeling us as ‘bad champions’ like Roy Keane.
Wenger offers a simple understanding and reason for why Liverpool have been out of form this season and it is the change in system and formation due to the absence of Virgil van Dijk – which has led to Jordan Henderson having to move into defence which has completely altered Jurgen Klopp’s system for the squad.
Is Virgil van Dijk Liverpool's best signing in the Premier League era?
Yes
No
As Wenger says, usually we would win the ball high up with Van Dijk in central defence alongside Joe Gomez, with Henderson in midfield to then press quickly and provide our attacking players with quick options in attack – however by changing the system and not pressing and winning the ball back as high up or as quickly as before, this has allowed teams more time on the ball which has been evident in games.
What do you think Liverpool fans, does Wenger have a valid point? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section down below…