The Dutch press have criticised Virgil van Dijk's latest Nations League performance for the Netherlands, with the Liverpool captain receiving low match ratings after the 2-1 win over Serbia in Belgrade.
The Oranje recorded their first victory of the Xavi Hernandez era on Sunday, following a 1-1 draw with Germany earlier in the week. They dominated possession and attempts on goal but were not clinical enough, making the match far closer than it should have been.
Meerdink stars as Van Dijk struggles
Mexx Meerdink was the hero in just his second game for the national team, scoring in the 30th and 69th minutes either side of Luka Jovic's equaliser straight after half-time. The 23-year-old netted a penalty and showcased his poaching instincts by latching onto a well-weighted pass from Guus Til, firing a low effort past Vanja Milinkovic-Savic.
Yet Netherlands captain Van Dijk still cut a frustrated figure post-match. "A less good feeling than after the last match, I think this was a poor game from us," said the veteran defender. "We could make it easier for ourselves if we finished the chances, but we aren't doing that and then it can become dangerous."
Dutch media ratings
Van Dijk, who was accused of not keeping up with the pace of the game by the Dutch media against Germany, once more found himself targeted in the back pages. Voetbal International gave the Liverpool skipper a 6/10 match rating, writing: "The fact that Verbruggen had to spring into action was sometimes also due to hesitant play by the Oranje defense. Jan Paul van Hecke, Virgil van Dijk, and Micky van de Ven therefore receive a six."
Voetbalzone were even more critical, writing: "Virgil van Dijk struggled against Serbia and is rated a 5.5. The slow pace of play from the Netherlands and the Serbs' quick counter-attacks meant the captain did not always look comfortable. Just like against Germany, Van Dijk remains stuck at a 5.5."
VoetbalPrimeur handed the 35-year-old a 6/10, saying: "Van Dijk was barely tested defensively, although the Netherlands started dramatically after the break. In the build-up, he made one quick opening that resulted in a small chance for Meerdink, but the Dutch defenders could have taken a bit more initiative here."
Gravenberch and Gakpo also critiqued
The outlet did not go easy on Van Dijk's Reds team-mate Ryan Gravenberch either, awarding the midfielder a 5.5/10 rating. The outlet wrote: "Gravenberch has lost his starting place at Liverpool and he doesn't seem to be in his best form for the Dutch national team either. The former Ajax player did try, but played a bit timidly and was nowhere near as dominant as we know him to be. Too little came from the attacking midfielders."
The game was an even bigger disappointment for Liverpool's third star picked to represent the Netherlands in the international break - Cody Gakpo - who was taken off injured after just over a quarter of an hour played.
