Liverpool and Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk is “too laid back” and must improve, according to his national team coach Ronald Koeman.
Van Dijk, widely regarded as one of Europe’s best defenders, also gave away a penalty for Liverpool against Manchester City on Sunday, but Riyad Mahrez sent his spot-kick over the bar.
Koeman, who signed Van Dijk at Southampton in 2015, said he wanted more from the star centre-back.
“I told Virgil within 30 seconds of the end of the game against France what I thought,” he said.
“I know him so well – and that means I know where all his little faults are.
— Virgil van Dijk (@VirgilvDijk) October 8, 2018
“Virgil has to improve, not a lot, but sometimes he is a little too laid back. That needs to change.
“And, particularly in Van Dijk’s case, because of the strength and power he has he is too laid back.”
