Former Netherlands and Chelsea midfielder Ruud Gullit has admitted that Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has returned to his best ahead of the upcoming international break.
Van Dijk suffered a cruciate ligament injury in October 2020 which saw him spend eight months on the sidelines. Upon his return, some wondered if the centre-back would be able to reach the same heights as he managed before the setback.
While his performances last season took a dip like most of the Liverpool squad, Jurgen Klopp kept faith in the 32-year-old and named him captain following the departure of Jordan Henderson at the end of the season. This campaign, Van Dijk has returned to the form of old and has been integral as the Reds challenge Arsenal and Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.
One of those to criticise Van Dijk last season was Gullit with Voetbal International reporting that the 61-year-old said the defender thought he was ‘better than the rest of the squad’. But when asked if his mind had changed, the former Newcastle United manager admitted that it had.
“And rightly so,” Gullit replied when quizzed about his previous comments criticising Van Dijk. “He didn’t play well either, but he is growing back to his peak now. That’s the level you ask of him. That’s all I ask. He is also very good.”
Gullit then added: “I wouldn’t have criticised him if I didn’t think he was a top player, then you have no use for it. Now you do. And he is there again. He passes well, and is more direct going forward.
“I think he just suffered from that bad injury. He also didn’t play well for a long time. If you see that, you have to say so. Now it’s different, then I say it too.”
Van Dijk is expected to be called up for the European Championships this summer and is currently with his national team ahead of their friendlies against Scotland and Germany over the next week.
