Liverpool and Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk is too laid back and must improve, according to his national team coach Ronald Koeman.
Koeman s side were edged 2-1 by World Cup champions France last month, Van Dijk beaten to a cross by Olivier Giroud for the winning goal in the Nations League clash.
Van Dijk, widely regarded as one of Europe s best defenders, also gave away a penalty for Liverpool against Manchester City on Sunday, but Riyad Mahrez sent his spot-kick over the bar.
Koeman, who signed Van Dijk at Southampton in 2015, said he wanted more from the star centre-back.
I told Virgil within 30 seconds of the end of the game against France what I thought, he said.
I know him so well – and that means I know where all his little faults are.
— Virgil van Dijk (@VirgilvDijk)
Virgil has to improve, not a lot, but sometimes he is a little too laid back. That needs to change.
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.
Netherlands are preparing for a Nations League clash against Germany before meeting Belgium in a friendly.
