'You can see': Steve Nicol says one Liverpool player looks like he's 'had the life sucked out of him' by Slot
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Virgil van Dijk cut a deeply frustrated figure after turning in a poor performance during Liverpool’s FA Cup defeat against Manchester City on Saturday.The Reds’ captain was central to the moment which changed the game at the Etihad Stadium, clumsily fouling Nico O’Reilly to hand City a penalty.From there, Van Dijk stumbled through the rest of the match on autopilot, and having watched him speaking to the cameras at full-time, Liverpool legend Steve Nicol says the Dutchman simply looks like he’s running out of energy. The errors are beginning to pile up… Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images Van Dijk has ‘had the life sucked out of him’As captain, Van Dijk has fronted up more than any other player during what has been a dismal season for Liverpool.However, the 34-year-old has taken some criticism for failing to rally his troops, and having been presented with his post-match reaction on ESPN, Nicol says Van Dijk just looks shattered.“I think you can see with that interview that your captain is devoid of energy,” said the pundit.
“The life’s been sucked out of him and right now this team is sucking the life out of the fans as well.”Photo by Michael Regan/Getty ImagesREAD MORE: Two Reds proved that the disconnect between Liverpool fans and players has never been bigger vs Man CityNicol went on to say that he no longer believes Arne Slot is the man to rejuvenate Liverpool, with players and fans ‘scared’ whenever the team takes to the field.“I’m beginning to waver, I’m beginning to go the other way,” he said. “Every time they step on the field, as a fan watching it you’re scared because you’re not sure how many it’s going to be.
You know there’s going to be goals, you’re just not sure how many. And for any manager to be in that position where everybody and everyone around you is beginning to lose trust in you, you’re in big trouble.”Join Our NewsletterReceive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox