VIRGIL VAN DIJK will have to get used to be being more exposed in Liverpool’s line-up after his record transfer from Southampton.
That’s the opinion of former England international Matthew Upson, who claims Van Dijk will have to react much quicker to counter attacks from opposing teams.
Liverpool secured their No1 transfer target earlier this week in a deal worth £75million to make Van Dijk the most expensive defender in history.
The 26-year-old will not be available for selection in Liverpool’s New Years’ Day clash against Burnley but could make his debut against Everton in their FA Cup third round tie next week.
He will have little time to get used to Liverpool’s style of play under Klopp though, and Upson believes the central defender will be far more exposed than he is used to.
“Whereas the defensive line at Southampton will have been relatively deep in many games, at Liverpool Van Dijk will spend a lot of his time higher up the pitch with his team dominating the game,” Upson told The Times.
“Then, when the opposition break, he’ll need to react to that, which won’t always be easy.
“There will be times when he will be exposed with the full backs very advanced and no designated holding midfielder in the team.
“And Klopp doesn’t yet have the back four or five drilled exactly as he would want.”
And Upson went on to suggest Van Dijk would be best suited to play in a back three.
“I’d probably play him in the centre of a back three with Joe Gomez and Joël Matip.
“Gomez belongs at centre back and would offer good energy alongside him. He would also learn a lot off Van Dijk.
“In a three he would have fewer open spaces around him and he’d get lots of the ball, which would suit him.”
Source:www.express.co.uk