NOS Football•
Virgil van Dijk is concerned about the new generation of footballers. The Liverpool and Dutch captain fears that young footballers are increasingly coming under pressure from social media and news media attention. The defender also calls on former professional football players.
“Personally I can deal with the criticism, but I am a little concerned about the next generation,” Van Dijk said in conversation with Gary Neville, former Manchester United player. “I feel that the former top players have a responsibility towards the new generation. It is not as easy as everyone thinks.”
“I think that especially the ex-pros, top players, who have also been through everything, have a responsibility to protect players a little bit. That might be something to look at.”
At the end of last year, Van Dijk clashed with former United striker Wayne Rooney, who felt that the Dutchman did not take his team by the hand enough. “I didn’t hear him last season,” Van Dijk said at the time. He called it “over the top” and “bland”.
Van Dijk: “Criticism is completely normal and part of the game, and I think it should remain that way. But sometimes criticism also turns into clickbait, saying things to provoke something, and without thinking about the consequences for the mental side of players, and especially the younger generation, who are constantly on social media.”
“Then you can say: you shouldn’t be on social media… That’s what I’ve said so many times. If you’ve played well, younger players check out the positive compliments. But if you play worse and are bullied on social media, or if you get criticism, then that can really have an impact. I’ve seen that in the past with certain players, and now too… It’s just not easy.”
“It’s going to get worse and worse because on today’s platforms, with the clickbait and the headlines, everyone is on it all the time.
Criticism or disrespect
Nevertheless, Van Dijk calls criticism of the current season deserved. Liverpool are sixth, with just 39 points, putting their place in the Champions League competition stage at risk. Leader Arsenal also has 14 points more.
“This is not the standard we have set. But you have criticism and you have disrespect. We are in a process and it takes time. Liverpool is not a club that makes hasty decisions. We trust the process.”
“But I know how the world works. I know the pressure coaches are under, and they are held accountable for the results we achieve.”
