Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk blasted for being ‘too laid back’ by Holland boss Ronald Koeman

LIVERPOOL ace Virgil van Dijk is “too laid back” and that must change if he is to improve as a player, according to his Holland boss Ronald Koeman.

Van Dijk has been a revelation since joining from Southampton in January for a £75m world-record fee – for a defender - helping the Reds reach the Champions League final.

The 27-year-old has been lauded for his effortless style of defending, and has proved to be the heartbeat of Jurgen Klopp's back four.

However, Koeman, who signed the Dutchman three years ago while in charge of Southampton, says the defender is far from the finished article.

He said: “I told Virgil within 30 seconds of the end of the game against France (the 2-1 defeat in the Nations League last month) what I thought.

'I know him so well – and that means I know where all his little faults are.

“Virgil has to improve, not a lot, but sometimes he is a little too laid back. That needs to change.”

He added: “There are moments as a defender when you should be no more than three feet away from the striker you are marking.

“And, particularly in Van Dijk's case, because of the strength and power he has he is too laid back.”

Van Dijk will be sure to play a key role for Koeman’s men over the next week, with Holland meeting Germany in a UEFA Nations League clash on Saturday before heading to Belgium for a friendly next Tuesday.