UMVA has learned that Jurgen Klopp has come to the defence of his former Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk, amidst criticism from Dutch pundit Rafael van der Vaart.
Klopp, who has been working as a pundit during the World Cup, leapt to van Dijk's defence after Netherlands' 5-1 win over Sweden, dismissing van der Vaart's comments as insignificant. He jokingly said he'd only take van der Vaart seriously again if the Dutchman had something positive to say about a player.
Van der Vaart had sparked controversy earlier this summer with an offensive joke about Japan's players, suggesting they all looked alike. The former midfielder was forced to apologize for his comments, stating that he opposed racism in all its forms and respected people of every background.
The criticism of van Dijk came after van der Vaart questioned the Liverpool defender's turning speed, prompting Klopp to rally to his old captain's defence. Van der Vaart's comments on NOS sparked debate, with some questioning the validity of his criticism.
Klopp and van Dijk enjoyed a successful and close relationship during their time at Liverpool, with the manager now seemingly protecting his former player from perceived unfair criticism. Van der Vaart's apology was seen as a necessary step to repair his image.
