# Van Dijk denies forcing tactical change

> Liverpool captain refutes claims he altered World Cup tactics
- Title: Van Dijk denies forcing tactical change · Sky Sports
- Summary: Liverpool captain refutes claims he altered World Cup tactics Van Dijk says Dutch team's World Cup failure wasn't his fault
- Keywords: virgil van dijk, ronald koeman, netherlands, world cup, liverpool, nations league, xavi, sports, Van, Dijk, denies, forcing
- Source: Sky Sports — https://skysports.com/football/news/12040/13591280/virgil-van-dijk-liverpool-captain-slams-dutch-reporter-following-claims-he-forced-ronald-koeman-to-change-world-cup-tactics
- Author: Callum Bishop
- Published: 2026-09-24T07:49:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: virgil van dijk, ronald koeman, netherlands, world cup, liverpool, nations league, xavi, sports
## Van Dijk rejects claims
Liverpool defender denies forcing tactical shift during World Cup

> One of your colleagues also said, of course, that it was my idea to switch to playing with a back five. That is utter nonsense
## World Cup exit
Netherlands lost to Morocco on penalties in round of 32
## Tactical confusion
Koeman used back four until Morocco match, switched to back five
## Van Dijk's defense
He says team failure wasn't his fault, claims media spreads nonsense

> The fact is we simply failed at the World Cup. Those are the hard facts. We didn't play a good World Cup. It's not about me.
## Future plans
Van Dijk to continue with Netherlands for Nations League and Euro 2028 qualifiers
## Key takeaway

Van Dijk says Dutch team's World Cup failure wasn't his fault