Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk has been praised as he slams a Daily Mirror reporter over a story which was written on Saturday.
The defender has hit back at a journalist for claiming he is leading a player revolt against the appointment of Louis van Gaal as the new Netherlands boss.
Despite some promising performances in the group stages of Euro 2020 – finding the net on eight occasions in their first three games – Holland went crashing out of the competition in disappointing fashion after a 2-0 defeat to Czech Republic in the last 16.
Shortly afterwards, manager Frank de Boer elected to leave his position, saying the pressure placed on him as manager of the national team was ‘not a healthy situation’. I mean it was a strange appointment from the off truth be told.
Despite retiring from coaching, Van Gaal has emerged as the leading candidate to take over from De Boer in what would be his third stint as manager of the Oranje.
But a recent report from the Mirror claimed the links with Van Gaal had led to a ‘revolt’ in the Dutch dressing room, alleging that skipper Van Dijk and vice-captain Gini Wijnaldum were leading the backlash.
It was claimed that some players wanted former Chelsea assistant Henk ten Cate to be placed in charge instead, however that has been blasted by Van Dijk.
‘This story is completely false,’ wrote the 30-year-old, quote-tweeting the offending story and tagging the reporter in his post.
‘It’s never been more important for journalists to tell the truth and not just make stuff up. Shame on you Mr Simon Mullock.’
This story is completely false. It’s never been more important for journalists to tell the truth and not just make stuff up. Shame on you Mr. @MullockSMirror https://t.co/aYRDvqSk21
— Virgil van Dijk (@VirgilvDijk) July 17, 2021
Van Dijk missed this summer’s European Championships as he was still recovering from the ACL knee injury he sustained last year, though he is now in the latter stages of his rehabilitation with fans really hoping to see him back soon, especially to help Liverpool restore some pride after a dismal campaign after they were crowned champions of England in the 2019/20 Premier League season.
The former Southampton and Celtic defender has been taking part in pre-season training with the rest of the Reds squad and even uploaded a clip of him doing ball work recently as he shared his excitement for the season ahead.
‘To think about next season with fans, myself be playing again,’ he said. ‘Hopefully getting success with club and county, you know it’s something to be excited about.’
As mentioned, there has been widespread praise for Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk who slams a Daily Mirror reporter over a untrue story…
I absolutely love it when footballers call out journalists on their stories. Should happen a lot more. https://t.co/bwrrZ1Tc0V
— HLTCO (@HLTCO) July 18, 2021
@Vinnieno41: I’m all for it. I wish there were more
@singh_shaantanu: For context, Simon Mullock once wrote an article about Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba injuring each other in training, having picked up the story from a parody website and doing zero fact-checks.
@KayethenLFC: Spoken like a true king
@Debs76265474: Don’t let the truth get in the way of a story. Virgil, as you will be aware, it’s not the first time a newspaper hasn’t told the truth in relation to Liverpool, its players or its fans. Probably won’t be the last either. Sadly.
@sekyanzi_shaun: This journo picked the wrong Fan base to cross 😭😭😭😭.
@KIopptinho: Tell them Virgil lad
@L22Acko: Simon Mullock put back in his box by Big Virg!!
@NxsirNx: Drag him, king.
@JamesMizter: That newspaper entire staff has a vendetta against Liverpool
@AlexanderLeese: Love players calling newspapers out on their bullshit. It needs to happen more often the scruffy bastards!
@SuyashShettyUTD: Mirror in the mud. Glad to see footballers coming out and calling the b.s. like Grealish did & now VVD.
@DianaKristinne: RIP to that journo
@premplaha: Bodied the journalist
@Reggie_Disley: This should happen more often. Exactly what is needed 👌🏻
@Deano_3112: Thats not like you is it @MullockSMirror to make a story up 🤣🤣🤣🤣 fraud
@jamiebennett_r: I wonder whether @MullockSMirror will have the decency to issue a public apology….
@Shiven_MUFC: This same bloke quoted a parody news site which said Bruno and Pogba injured each other. Drag him.
@ralphy2307: Basically you’re a fucking idiot @MullockSMirror
@Donna_Scully: Not just great at football. Likes the truth too. If you have a voice, a platform, use it for good no matter what ‘they’ say about sticking to football. Please. 🙏❤️⚽️
@JonnyLFC93: Yes Virg!
@ourdeadliest: Prove it @MullockSMirror. As a journalist you should be guided by facts.
@monkerhoistin: Well done Virgil, the Mirror is as low as the Sun these days
@Ubeid_Ali: They have been caught out by the big man.
@DarrenFlynn90: Nothing new with tabloids. Barely any integrity left in them. I’ll only pick one up round the time of the nationals for the race card other than that they should be avoided.
Tell them pic.twitter.com/4720PMbuoV
— 🇵🇸 4 ❦❀ (@virgilvds) July 17, 2021
Is right Virg you tell em lad, my goat pic.twitter.com/881izLzuLb
— harrybrandwood 🔴🔴 (@BrandwoodHarry) July 17, 2021
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