'Lost their minds': Dutch pundit furious with what is being said about two Liverpool stars in England

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Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo have not enjoyed the best 2025/26 campaigns at Liverpool.Fans have questioned Van Dijk, while Alan Shearer has claimed the Reds captain has declined this term.As for Gakpo, he has been the main scapegoat this term, with the winger slammed by supporters and the likes of Jamie Carragher saying Rio Ngumoha has done more than him despite playing a lot less.But former player Hans Kraay Jr. has now responded to the criticism levelled at the Liverpool duo this season, and he is not pleased. Rate Arne Slot’s second season as Liverpool head coach Can anyone make a serious argument for higher than a C? 😶 Photo Credit: Getty Images/Carl Recine Criticism of Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo slammedWriting in his column for Voetbal International, he suggested that people in England have ‘lost their minds’ when it comes to how they view Van Dijk and Gakpo.Kraay Jr. stated: “In England, the analysts, columnists, and the self-proclaimed know-it-alls have completely lost their minds.

After four league matches this season, Van Dijk was dubbed the very best central defender ever in the Premier League. Four matches later, and two Arne Slot defeats further along, it was more or less over for Virgil.“In short: almost the end of Virgil van Dijk’s career.

And those same people who praised Van Dijk so highly suddenly think that Cody Gakpo is completely over the hill.”On the Van Dijk front, Kraay Jr. may have a point, as while the centre-back hasn’t reached his usual high level week in week out this term, he has been hampered by the Reds’ overall poor form and big changes to the back four.But there can be no excusing how frustrating and poor Gakpo has been for Liverpool this season.Fans have heard it all before because it happens every week, but whenever the ex-PSV man plays, he hampers the Reds’ attacking flow and constantly insists on cutting inside and shooting every time he picks up the ball.Ngumoha has already shown in his very limited outings this season that he is a much more effective winger who will actually take players on, switch up how he runs at defenders and, most importantly, create chances.Gakpo is managing 1.8 key passes per 90 for Liverpool this term, while the teenage star is already notching 3.7 a game.Join Our NewsletterReceive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox