Virgil van Dijk demands change 'very quickly' and slams 'low-energy' performance after storming off

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk was extremely unhappy with the performance of the Netherlands as it fell to a 3-2 defeat against Austria. The Dutch have nonetheless advanced to the next stage of Euro 2024, but the defender has called for rapid change.

Group D took an unexpected twist as Ralf Rangnick's Austria side finished atop the table, condemning France to the trickier side of the draw and leaving the Netherlands to qualify as one of the best third-placed teams. There's now an increasing likelihood of the Dutch facing England in the next round.

That would see Van Dijk and the in-form Cody Gakpo come up against Trent Alexander-Arnold (if he has been restored by the bumbling Gareth Southgate by then). But the Oranje defender believes there needs to be a significant improvement by then.

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"A very bad match," Van Dijk bluntly admitted to NOS (via De Telegraaf). “We started weakly, in possession of the ball but also in the duels. Then you are behind the times. It was just a bad evening.

“You have to try to keep the ball longer, then you get into the game more. But of course it started with the duels and the energy we put in there was not enough.

“We are all responsible. It shouldn't happen, but it did and that's bad. If we want to achieve anything in this tournament, things have to change very quickly.”

Van Dijk saw Liverpool clubmate Gakpo restore parity after the Netherlands had gone behind early, cutting in from the left and finishing well to send a clear message to Arne Slot about his best position. But Austria restored the advantage a few minutes later.

It was the same story after Memphis Depay again equalized. The equilibrium lasted even less long, with Marcel Sabitzer netting what would prove to be the winner in the 80th minute.

Van Dijk appeared to storm off after the game, visibly furious with the performance. Although he clearly recovered himself quickly, having conducted the interview with NOS in the immediate aftermath of the defeat.

Liverpool.com says: The Netherlands vs England would be an intriguing match-up in the next round of Euro 2024. They are in a similar boat, with star names failing to comprehensively gel as a team.

The 3-2 defeat to Austria looked a lot more fun than the lifeless 0-0 draw between England and Slovenia. But Van Dijk is right to call for rapid improvements if the Netherlands want to make anything of this tournament.