West Ham Great Upson: Liverpool Defender Van Dijk Has Been Quite Poor

Former West Ham United defender Matthew Upson says Virgil van Dijk has struggled for Liverpool in their opening three games.

Van Dijk was caught out in defeat at Manchester United on Monday night.

"Well I think you're talking about a very accomplished centre back, who's got an amazing reputation, ticks a lot of boxes, but he is a big guy," said Upson.

"Liverpool aren't quite firing on all cylinders at the moment and it's going to leave you a little bit more exposed than what you would usually expect. You're seeing that in certain moments that he's finding himself in at the moment.

"When that space is around you, it's about getting out to the ball quickly - getting yourself set. He is a master at assessing 1v1 situations, guiding players into avenues he wants them to go so he can stay on his feet and just shepherd in things where he needs to be.

"You don't necessarily see him too many times throw himself in the way of balls, go to ground, make last ditch tackles, he's not that type of defender. But he's finding himself in situations at the moment where that's actually now required. Liverpool aren't in control of games as much as they like so those situations where he's got to go out and affect the ball, he's not really reacting in that way and looks quite poor at times."