Rafael van der Vaart, a former midfielder for Tottenham Hotspur, argues that Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson, James Milner, and Joe Gomez are only “average” players and that football fans have grown “blinded” to the Reds’ team’s flaws.
Only winning two of their first seven games in all categories, Jurgen Klopp’s club has had a bad start to the new campaign. Last week, they were humiliated 4-1 by Napoli in the opening round of the UEFA Champions League, in what manager Klopp dubbed the worst performance of his team’s career.
The Reds must quickly get their European campaign and season as a whole back on track after the death of Queen Elizabeth II forced the postponement of Saturday’s Premier League encounter with Wolves at Anfield. On Tuesday night, the Reds host Dutch champions Ajax at home.
Van van Vaart, who participated in the Champions League 37 times for Ajax, believes Liverpool are only a “mediocre team.”
The former Real Madrid playmaker claimed on Ziggo Sport that “I think we have become a bit blinded.” We have developed a sudden admiration for Jordan Henderson as a footballer. He’s merely a really subpar athlete. James Milner is a very subpar athlete as well. Joe Gomez is a player who is likewise pretty ordinary.
“Virgil van Dijk is at the peak of his game, and the right and left backs are also strong.” I believe they are a very mediocre squad, though, if things don’t go well and their attackers don’t have a good day.
Van der Vaart is not expecting Ajax to be able to win at Anfield if Liverpool strikers Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah play at any level close to what they are capable of. This is despite his criticism of the team as a whole.
“If Dz and Salah do have their day, then we have a problem,” I’m only scared for Ajax. So Ajax will never triumph. Definitely not at Anfield; I don’t believe Daley Blind and Devyne Rensch are up to the task.
Before the Champions League games on Tuesday night, there will be a moment of silence for the Queen.