“Unpleasant”: National Media React to Liverpool Star Virgil van Dijk’s Display for Netherlands After Picking Up Red Card
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk endured a difficult night on Friday as he was sent off during the Netherlands’ Nations League clash with Hungary.
The Reds’ skipper was dismissed in the 79th minute after receiving a second yellow card. Despite this, the Dutch team managed to secure a 1-1 draw in Budapest.
Hungary took the lead in the 20th minute when Roland Sallai volleyed past Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, following a cross from Zsolt Nagy.
By the time Van Dijk received two yellow cards in quick succession, the Netherlands were still trailing to Sallai’s goal, leaving them with an uphill battle.
However, the Oranje managed to equalise in the 83rd minute. Denzel Dumfries, who took over the captain’s duties from Van Dijk, headed in a goal from a well-placed Cody Gakpo cross.
Dutch media were critical of their national team’s performance against Hungary, and Van Dijk’s red card did not escape their scrutiny.
Here is how various media outlets in the Netherlands rated the Liverpool captain’s performance during the match.
Dutch Media Verdict on Virgil van Dijk Display vs Hungary
Sportnieuws gave Van Dijk a 4.5 out of 10 and called his sending-off “stupid”.
They wrote: “Virgil van Dijk gets the lowest score of the selection, and that has to do with his second yellow card.
“The situation took place on the side of the field in a fairly harmless position. In the last minutes of the match, it is not possible for you as a captain to show your frustration by making a foul.
“With that, he made a bad impression, while he further shared in the general malaise of the Oranje as a pace setter.”
Meanwhile, AD went with a 5 out of 10 and wrote: “No less than 105 ball contacts before the break.
“But it was all because Hungary retreated and kept the spaces small. After the break, two yellow cards in quick succession and therefore red.
“The captain will not be there in Germany, of course a suspension will follow. The first yellow card was for protesting, the second for a foul. An unpleasant evening for the Liverpool player.”
Meanwhile, VI said: “Two Dutch internationals were given a failing grade. Van Dijk and striker Joshua Zirkzee, who was chosen over Brian Brobbey, were given a 5.”
Virgil van Dijk is now ruled out of the Netherlands’ Nations League match against Germany in Munich on Monday due to suspension.
He informed reporters that he intends to remain with the national team rather than heading back to Liverpool early.
Liverpool’s next fixture is on Sunday, October 20, when they take on Chelsea in a Premier League home game.
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