The comments, made in the wake of Liverpool’s painful 2-1 defeat to Manchester City at Anfield on February 8, 2026, targeted Virgil van Dijk, with Nicol accusing the captain of on-pitch misconduct and a lapse in professionalism that contributed to the Reds’ collapse.
The match was already mired in controversy following Dominik Szoboszlai’s late red card and the disallowed goal sequence involving Erling Haaland. However, Nicol shifted focus to Van Dijk’s behavior and decision-making during the game. In his post-match analysis on ESPN FC, Nicol highlighted moments where the Dutch defender appeared to lose composure—pointing to a heated exchange with referee Craig Pawson after the penalty award to City and what he described as “petulant” body language when Liverpool conceded the equalizer through Bernardo Silva. Nicol argued that Van Dijk, often hailed as the epitome of calm leadership, crossed into misconduct territory by failing to set the right tone for his teammates in a high-stakes title clash.
“Just because of your recent improvement doesn’t mean you’re untouchable!” Nicol reportedly stated bluntly during the broadcast. He elaborated that Van Dijk’s elevated status as club captain and one of the world’s premier center-backs comes with greater responsibility—not immunity from criticism. The pundit suggested that the defender’s frustrations boiled over unnecessarily, potentially unsettling the backline and contributing to the defensive vulnerabilities that allowed City to turn the game around. Nicol contrasted this with Van Dijk’s usual poise, noting that recent strong performances (including standout displays in earlier big games) had perhaps created a sense of invincibility that was shattered on the day.
Fans are deeply divided over the remarks. On social media, supporters have split into camps: one group defends Van Dijk as the heart of Liverpool’s defense, arguing that Nicol is unfairly targeting the captain amid a team-wide tactical failure under Arne Slot. “Van Dijk carries this team—Nicol needs to lay off the legend,” read one popular reply. Others agree with the assessment, pointing to Van Dijk’s visible irritation and occasional rash challenges as signs that the pressure of leadership is showing cracks. “About time someone called out the untouchable status—captain or not, he can’t act like that,” countered another fan thread.
The timing amplifies the tension. Liverpool entered the fixture riding a wave of optimism, with Van Dijk central to their defensive solidity this season. His partnership with Ibrahima Konate had been lauded, and his leadership was credited for the side’s resurgence. Yet, in a game where Liverpool took the lead through Szoboszlai’s brilliance only to concede late, Nicol believes individual lapses—like Van Dijk’s demeanor—played a role in the momentum shift. He emphasized that elite players must maintain discipline, especially when the team needs stability most.
This isn’t Nicol’s first pointed critique of Liverpool players. The former Reds defender has a history of holding no punches, previously labeling defensive displays as “schoolboy” or questioning tactical naivety. But targeting Van Dijk—a player widely regarded as world-class and integral to the club’s identity—has hit a nerve. Some see it as constructive tough love from a true Anfield great; others view it as overly harsh on a leader already shouldering immense responsibility.
The fallout continues to ripple through the fanbase as Liverpool lick their wounds from the defeat. With Szoboszlai suspended and questions lingering over Alisson’s positioning in the buildup to the penalty, Nicol’s call-out adds another layer of scrutiny to the backline. Slot’s side now faces a crucial stretch without key personnel, and the debate over whether Van Dijk remains “untouchable” or needs to rediscover his composure will rage on.
Whether this serves as motivation for Van Dijk or fuels unnecessary division remains to be seen. What is clear is that Steve Nicol’s words have struck a chord, reminding everyone that in football, no one is beyond reproach—not even the captains who once seemed invincible.
