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Liverpool’s performance last season has been criticised by Man United legend Roy Keane and Virgil Van Dijk has responded to his comments.
The Netherlands defender was criticised last season for his poor performance and for not coordinating his defence as he should have.
The Reds conceded 47 goals last season and struggled to challenge for the title making them end in fifth position on the table.
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They were only able to salvage a Europa League spot during the last round of games of the season.
Roy Keane took the opportunity to criticise Van Dijk for his poor performance which also led to Liverpool losing out on the top four.
However, the defender has come out to respond to the criticism from the Man United legend about his team’s performance.
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Van Dijk says he has learnt a lot
Van Dijk has said that last season was a lesson to him and he has learnt a lot both on and off the pitch.
In an interview as reported by the Mirror, Van Dijk said, “I don't feel too big to be vulnerable. It has been quite an intense season, with many ups and downs and people must understand that we aren’t robots. It has been a year in which I learned a lot - especially off the pitch, and certainly mentally.
“In football, it's never plain sailing - but this season was still quite a shock. Sometimes the criticism was just right, both on the team and on me individually. But quite often it was not quite right. Either way, you have to be able to deal with it - and I'm glad I came out of it well. Mentally, that’s not always easy.”
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Van Basten criticised Van Dijk verbally, alleging that he was "making a lot of noise without saying anything."
Neville claimed that opposition players were hitting the Dutchman because they "now thought they had a chance," Keane charged that he was "defending like a pub team," Carragher added, "I'd take Van Dijk's place."
Van Dijk speaks about being criticised
The Liverpool defender has spoken about the criticism from Keane and Van Basten admitting that it is part football.
In an interview as reported by the Mirror, Van Dijk said, “Criticism is part of it - and it's certainly not a problem if it's justified. But a footballer knows when he has played well or badly. Some comments are also only intended to be controversial and are said just for the sake of saying them. There are so many platforms on which people can express their opinions these days.
“The problem is that, as a footballer, you can't really say much back. If you do that once, you immediately have the puppets dancing. I am someone who consciously doesn't read, listen or watch much. I can shut myself off from it. But you do get told a lot by other people - and then you can't escape it.”
“I always talk to people who are close to me. That's really important. No one is too big to talk or to make yourself vulnerable. At home, I talk a lot with my wife and at the club, we have enough people you can talk to who specialise in that. No player has a career with only highlights.
“But if criticism is fierce and negative, you can suffer as an athlete. The trick is to deal with it properly - and I'm quite happy with how that has gone in the last few months.”
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