Rafael Leao Shines as Virgil van Dijk Faces Harsh Criticism in Liverpool’s Defeat to AC Milan
In a preseason clash that exposed defensive vulnerabilities, AC米蘭‘s Rafael Leao outmaneuvered 利物浦‘s stalwart defender 維吉爾·範·迪克, earning rave reviews while the Dutch captain endured scathing feedback from the Italian media. This encounter highlights ongoing concerns about Liverpool’s backline as they gear up for the new season.
- Leao delivered a strike and a setup
- Van Dijk rated at 4.5 out of 10 for his display
- Slot maintains Liverpool’s defense is robust
Italian Media’s Brutal Assessment of Virgil van Dijk’s Performance Against Rafael Leao
The prominent Italian publication 米蘭體育報 didn’t hold back in evaluating the experienced Dutch defender, assigning him a dismal 4.5 out of 10 following Liverpool’s setback on Saturday. The Reds found it challenging to neutralize the dynamic Portuguese forward, who netted a goal and created another for the Rossoneri. Gazzetta honored Leao with the man-of-the-match accolade for his standout contribution.
義大利‘s top sports outlet described how the Portuguese talent “overpowered” Van Dijk. Although usually deployed on the flank, Leao adapted seamlessly to a forward role, prompting Gazzetta to note, “He [Leao] isn’t a born central attacker yet, but even Van Dijk couldn’t halt his explosive runs.”
Scrutiny on Liverpool’s Defensive Depth Amid Van Dijk’s Rare Off-Day
Questions are mounting about Liverpool’s reliability in central defense. Van Dijk paired with Ryan Gravenberch at the start, while Ibrahima Konate formed an improvised duo with left-back Kostas Tsimikas after the break. Factors like the departure of Jarrell Quansah, ongoing fitness issues for Joe Gomez, and this uncharacteristic lapse from Van Dijk are fueling worries. Yet, manager Arne Slot remains confident in the squad’s defensive options for their 英超聯賽 campaign. In a recent press interaction, he stated, “I’m not worried about our center-back situation.”
Recent data underscores these concerns: Liverpool conceded an average of 1.2 goals per game in preseason, compared to their solid 0.8 in the previous league season, suggesting a need for reinforcements as the 2024/25 fixtures approach.
Upcoming Fixtures for Liverpool and AC Milan to Rebound
The Reds aim to shake off this setback as they wrap up their Asian preseason schedule with a match against Yokohama FC this Wednesday. A strong showing could restore momentum ahead of competitive action.
Meanwhile, Leao and his AC Milan teammates have momentum from this display and will seek to maintain it in their upcoming friendly against Perth Glory on Thursday.
