Virgil van Dijk left 'on edge' as Liverpool defender given 'painful' verdict

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Liverpool Echo IconSportFootballLiverpool FCLiverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk has once again been subjected to stinging criticism in HollandLiverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has been subject to yet more criticism in Holland after being slammed as "painful" and "weak". Van Dijk skippered the Dutch national team to a comprehensive 4-0 win in Malta in their latest World Cup qualifier on Thursday evening.However, the centre-back has once again been targeted for severe assessment in his homeland, with many outlets rating him the worst Holland player on the pitch.Van Dijk gifted Malta a chance early on with a wayward backpass and later on picked up a booking that leaves him one yellow card from a suspension with Holland having three key qualifiers remaining.READ MORE: Liverpool have 'a lot going on' as Jeremie Frimpong questioned and Mohamed Salah decision madeThe media in Holland has regularly been critical of Van Dijk's performances for his country and they were quick to point the finger.Voetbal Primeur declared Van Dijk looked "weak" after his mistake in the opening moments while Algemeen Dagblad said of the error it was "was painful that the Dutch captain had such a light-hearted moment in a team that is all too often accused of lacking urgency in matches".Of his booking, Van Dijk said: "I didn't consider it a yellow card at all.

I hear I'm on edge, and I have to deal with that."This is part of the game. We still have three important matches to achieve that.

On to the next one."Holland take on Finland at home on Sunday before finishing the group with a key visit to Poland and a home game against Lithuania.Van Dijk will return to Merseyside next week to start preparing for the resumption of Liverpool's season when they entertain Manchester United on Sunday week.