Virgil BAN Dijk - KOP STAR IS LOSING THE PLOT

LESS than 12 months ago, Virgil van Dijk was being lauded as the biggest peacemaker since Mahatma Gandhi.

- JEREMY CROSS

Images of him attempting to protect rival Lionel Messi (right) from his own international team-mates during that infamous World Cup clash between Holland and Argentina in Qatar went viral.

Van Dijk wanted to be Messi’s white knight because of the “huge respect” he had for the footballing icon.

The Argies might have triumphed in that tempestuous showdown in the Lusail Stadium.

But it felt like Van Dijk also emerged a winner – due to the fact he appeared to be the only star on the pitch who hadn’t lost his mind.

But that was then, and this is now.

Fast forward less than nine months and the same Van Dijk appears to have lost all respect for himself – let alone the opposition. Open goals rarely fall into the laps of the Football Association or subsequent independent commissions.