Virgil van Dijk's role at Liverpool: Andoni Iraola's team are pressing high but is that a problem for their 35-year-old captain?

There was a moment during Liverpool’s recent win over Como that barely registered with the Anfield crowd at the time. It was their final pre-season friendly and Andoni Iraola's side won the game 2-0 with Jeremy Jacquet impressing on his debut.

During the first half there was a disagreement between Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk. The midfielder pressed but Como just passed the ball into the space behind him. Szoboszlai was visibly angry to find Van Dijk had not stepped up to close the gap.

Already, one game into the Premier League season, and even within five minutes of that particular game against Newcastle, there are signs that it could be a problem for Andoni Iraola. He wants his team to press high. But does his veteran captain want to do it too?

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Van Dijk's failure to push up was a contributory factor in Newcastle's opener. Much was made of Anthony Elanga's 61-metre run for the goal but William Osula was able to feed him without anyone closing down, as Jamie Carragher pointed out on Sky Sports.

"Virgil van Dijk should be higher initially and if he is higher he could then make the challenge there," said Carragher. "But we are talking about a defender who is 35, coming towards the end of his career, one of the greatest players we have seen in that position."

It is a common trait with such players, as Carragher well knows. "It is very reminiscent of John Terry in that position. Do you remember John Terry under [Andre] Villas-Boas? He does not want to go in there. So you have almost got to play to the strengths of him."

He added of Van Dijk: "It is not just that Liverpool need protection in midfield and need more players there, he needs protection. This is probably the first season where he cannot help anyone else, he needs help himself." But will he get it in Iraola's system?

The Basque coach did a remarkable job in his three seasons with Bournemouth, building one of the most exciting sides in the Premier League. Iraola became renowned for his aggressive approach but it is a style that does place particular demands on his defenders.

A product of defending high is that there is often space behind. Bournemouth had the highest direct speed against of any team in the Premier League last season. That means opponents progressed the ball up the pitch quicker against them than anyone else.

At Liverpool, that could be an issue. Milos Kerkez was unable to catch Elanga but it hardly plays to the strengths of Van Dijk either. The Liverpool skipper had every quality required of a central defender in his prime but some attributes last longer than others.

He remains a formidable defender in both penalty boxes and boasts an impressive passing range with the ball at his feet anywhere on the pitch. But when out of possession on the halfway line, that can be an awkward spot even for elite ageing centre-backs.

There is some evidence to suggest that Van Dijk's speed is not quite what it once was. The fastest top speed that he has ever clocked in his Premier League career came during his debut season in the competition as a Southampton player following his move from Celtic.

His top speed in a Liverpool shirt was registered during the club's one title-winning campaign under Jurgen Klopp. But that is a long time ago now. Over the past three seasons prior to this one, Van Dijk's top speed has declined. It is not an asset for him now.

Van Dijk relies more than ever on his physicality and his intelligent positional play, but that becomes harder if the spaces that he is being asked to manage become bigger. And the problems only increase for Liverpool if those ahead press and he does not follow.

Any tension between Van Dijk and Szoboszlai that day lasted only for a moment and the Dutchman was fulsome in his praise of his team-mate after his penalty salvaged a point at Newcastle. He even talked up Szoboszlai's leadership skills. "He is here to take over."

But when will that be? After a season in which Mohamed Salah's status at Liverpool changed quicker than anyone could have anticipated, Van Dijk's role under Iraola is worth keeping an eye on. Because this Liverpool midfield is becoming an issue for him too.

(c) Sky Sports 2026: Virgil van Dijk's role at Liverpool: Andoni Iraola's team are pressing high but is that a problem for their 35-year-old captain?