Has Van Dijk lost his edge? BBC analysis raises concerns at Liverpool | OneFootball

Defender criticised after Bournemouth defeat under Arne Slot

Has Van Dijk lost his edge? BBC analysis raises concerns at Liverpool

BBC analysis questioned Virgil van Dijk’s recent mistakes as Liverpool’s poor league form continues under Arne Slot.

BBC focuses on Van Dijk’s performances

The BBC highlighted mistakes by Virgil van Dijk this season suggesting they have played a role in Liverpool’s recent struggles under head coach Arne Slot.

Liverpool are going through difficult period in the Premier League failing to win their last five match.

The poor run continued on Saturday with 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth.

“Not bad form, but lack of focus”

In article published by the BBC, one of its writers praised Van Dijk’s overall career calling him the best defender in Premier League history and key figure in Liverpool’s major trophies.

However the writer said the issue this season is not decline in ability but a lack of concentration.

According to the analysis, Van Dijk appears too relaxed at times which has led to costly moments at the back.

The article pointed to the Bournemouth match stating that Van Dijk could have cleared the ball before the opening goal.

The mistake was described as simple lapse in focus rather than technical problem.

Bournemouth game under the microscope

The BBC report also criticized Van Dijk’s role in Bournemouth’s second goal where he was said to have played the attacker onside.

The defender was also near the action for the third goal which the article described as part of very poor defensive display.

The writer stressed that when team is already struggling such errors only make the situation worse.

Age & form questions raised

The article also looked at the wider picture at Liverpool.

It noted that Van Dijk is 34 year old while Mohamed Salah is 33. Both players have been among Liverpool’s best performers over the past decade.

According to the BBC analysis, age did not seem to matter last season when both players were still among the best in their positions.

But in the 2025 /26 season, their level has dropped raising questions about whether they can return to their peak.

The writer concluded by saying there are few examples of players in their mid thirties reaching top form again after clear decline.