While the 2026 World Cup in the United States is still in it’s infancy, the narrative surrounding the Anfield contingent is already spinning at a dizzying pace.
It was a heavily flavoured Liverpool affair in Dallas as the Netherlands got their Group stage campaign underway against a spirited Japan in a 2-2 draw. New Anfield boss Andoni Iraola, watching from afar as he plots a new era on Merseyside, will have had plenty to chew on.
Three Reds stars Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, and Cody Gakpo were given the nod from the start by the Oranje. In a match that ultimately ended in a frustrating, maddening 2-2 draw for the Dutch, it was Liverpool’s towering captain who stole the show, breaking a rigid Japanese deadlock with a moment of sheer, unadulterated quality.
‘Beautiful, Brilliant Finish’ – Keane full of praise
For all the talk of changing cycles and fresh beginnings under Iraola this summer, Van Dijk provided a timely reminder of his enduring, world-class class. Meeting a beautifully flighted, diagonal cross from his club teammate Gravenberch, the 34-year-old subtly outmaneuvered Tsuyoshi Watanabe before guiding an exquisite header past Zion Suzuki.
It was a goal that forced even the famously hard-to-please Roy Keane into a rare, glowing monologue. Speaking on punditry duty for ITV Sport, the former Manchester United captain was left utterly smitten by the centre-back’s technique.
“We saw Japan dropping deeper and deeper, and once it goes in it’s an absolutely fantastic header from Van Dijk,” Keane gushed. “He’s such a goal threat, brilliant finish. Going in off the post, brilliant. The way he guided it, there’s no pace in it, but fantastic header. Poor defending, Japan are dropping deeper, but it’s beautiful. He’s seen it all the way – lovely, lovely finish and they were in total control at this stage.”
For Van Dijk, it marked his 13th international goal, adding to the 36 he has plundered for Liverpool across a glittering career. For a central defender, it remains a staggering, elite-level return.
The cruel boeing 747 jibe and the Oranje meltdown
Yet, this wouldn’t be international tournament football without a slice of heavy-handed drama. Despite his crucial contribution in the opposing penalty box, Van Dijk wasn’t spared the wrath of the Dutch press pack back home.
Former Netherlands international Rafael van der Vaart launched a scathing post-match assessment on GOAL, targeting the Liverpool skipper’s defensive mobility and cruelly accusing him of turning “like a Boeing 747” during the moments Japan exposed the Oranje backline.
It felt harsh, perhaps overly performative, but it highlighted a wider issue for the Dutch. Twice they held the lead in Dallas, and twice they relinquished it through sloppy defensive organisation, ultimately forcing them to settle for a solitary point.
While Gravenberch’s assist was a vision of midfield artistry, it was a more subdued, underwhelming afternoon for Cody Gakpo in the final third. The forward struggled to truly assert himself before the game belatedly sparked into life during a chaotic second half.
If the Netherlands are to satisfy pre-tournament expectations and go deep into the tournament, they are going to need their inspirational captain to keep pulling these rabbits out of hats.
ReadLiverpoolFC Verdict
Modern football discourse frequently dictates that a player can score a majestic, clutch goal in a World Cup opener and still face comparison to a commercial airliner from his own compatriots. Rafael van der Vaart undoubtedly offered a reactionary comment at best.
Nobody can dispute Van Dijk’s unrivaled ability to step up when his country and his club need him most. Andoni Iraola will undoubtedly look to weaponize the diagonal chemistry between Gravenberch and Van Dijk when pre-season begins on Merseyside.
Tournament football relies on moments, and Liverpool’s number four remains an absolute master of them.
