Klopp defends Van Dijk after Dutch captain clashes with media ahead of Nations League reunion

Jurgen Klopp has publicly defended Virgil van Dijk after the Netherlands captain clashed with Dutch media over his role in the country’s last-16 World Cup elimination to Morocco, with the two set to meet when the Netherlands host Germany in the UEFA Nations League in Amsterdam.

Van Dijk was visibly irritated in a pre-match press conference, dismissing claims that he had influenced a tactical switch to a back five during the World Cup as “utter nonsense.” He pushed back firmly against one reporter who suggested he had “destroyed Dutch football” following the tournament exit. “We didn’t play a good World Cup. It’s not about me. You perform together; you’re a team,” Van Dijk said. “Your claim that I destroyed Dutch football after the World Cup — that sort of thing is completely baseless.”

Klopp, preparing to take charge of Germany for the first time, said he was not surprised that Van Dijk had been singled out for criticism. “I think you yourselves know that you are quite critical. Virgil should tell you that,” Klopp told reporters. “Then the captain gets more criticism too. Virgil has had a lot of great moments in his career and also a few lesser ones. Because he is not only physically present, but normally also because of his performances, I can imagine that he gets singled out a bit.”

Van Dijk, 35, admitted he briefly considered his international future after the World Cup but resolved to continue following a conversation with new Netherlands head coach Xavi. “I needed a holiday with my family and then an important meeting with the national coach: after 10 seconds it was already clear that I would continue,” he said. “What he said? That I am Virgil van Dijk. It is about trust, appreciation, how important you are for the team.”

The defender could earn his 100th international cap during the current break if he features in all four of the Netherlands’ Nations League fixtures against Germany, Greece, and Serbia. The Netherlands and Germany are in Group A2, with the top two sides advancing to the quarter-finals in the spring.