[ad_1]
Nicol tells Liverpool not to use Van Dijk’s injury ‘as a crutch’
Liverpool managed to record a win and a clean sheet in their first game since Virgil van Dijk’s injury, defeating Ajax 1-0 in the Champions League.
However, former Reds defender Steve Nicol, who has earned a reputation for his blunt views as an expert, has warned his former club not to use the Dutchman’s absence as an excuse.
The Metro quotes him as telling ESPN FC:
“They need to make sure they don’t use the loss of Van Dijk as a crutch.
“If the players spin around or the staff always say, ‘Well, if we had Van Dijk or Alisson …’, you can’t be like that. If you do that, you’re going to sink.
“Whenever you lose a player, regardless of who it is, you have to get rid of him, forget him and move on. If you don’t, you’re in trouble.
“You can’t do that. After the game, when he gets injured and you realize it, you say, ‘Okay, we’re going to miss him,’ but then you move on.
“You don’t start, cry is probably not the right word, but you don’t start mentioning these things when you’re preparing for a match.
“Unfortunately, Van Dijk is unavailable and as much as you don’t want to like him, you have to forget about him. Put him aside.
“That’s the professional way. The only way to do it. If you don’t, everyone will be looking for a crutch and an excuse.”
“I already tell you, footballers will look for a crutch and an excuse, I have seen it too many times.
“They better move fast or they will sink.”
[ad_2]
