Van Dijk questions claims over Netherlands’ tactical change against Morocco

Virgil van Dijk has dismissed claims that he pressured former Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman into changing his tactics for the 2026 World Cup knockout match against Morocco.

The Liverpool defender, 35, was part of the Netherlands side eliminated by Morocco on penalties in the round of 32. The Dutch had used a back four during the group stage before switching to a back five for their first knockout match.

Van Dijk has since decided against retiring from international football and has committed to another two years with the Netherlands under new manager Xavi.

On the eve of Xavi’s first major international match, against Germany in the UEFA Nations League, Van Dijk faced questions during a tense news conference about his influence on the team’s approach.

He was also asked about a Dutch journalist’s suggestion that he had been giving short answers to the media.

“I am very open,” Van Dijk said.

“Sometimes certain things need to be said, don’t they? Otherwise, we just sit and listen to all the complaints. I have no problem with most of the media. I never have.

“When nonsense is being circulated, how else am I supposed to react?”

Van Dijk is expected to start in Xavi’s first match in charge of the Netherlands. He will come up against a familiar figure when the Dutch face Germany, with former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp preparing for his first match on the German bench.

Klopp was told about the criticism directed at Van Dijk and defended his former Reds captain, saying the defender had been unfairly singled out after the World Cup elimination.

“I think you know yourselves that you are quite critical. Virgil could confirm that to you,” Klopp told reporters.

“Our German journalists are also pretty good at [criticising], but perhaps you are not much less severe. I did not really follow the Dutch press, but I imagine you were not happy with that elimination.

“Then the captain receives even more criticism. Virgil has had many great moments in his career, and also a few less good ones.

“Because he is not only physically present, but is normally also recognised for his performances, I can imagine that he is targeted a little more than the others.”

The Netherlands and Germany will meet at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam on Thursday evening in their opening Group 2 match in League A of the UEFA Nations League.

Serbia and Greece are also in the group.