Netherlands’ defender Virgil van Dijk dismissed claims that he altered the team’s tactics in their round-of-16 FIFA World Cup loss against Morocco. The lanky player downplayed reports that he influenced former head coach Ronald Koeman’s tactics.

After a goalless first half, Cody Gakpo put the Dutch team in front in the 72nd minute. However, Issa Diop scored in the 91st minute to equalise for the Moroccan team. Morocco then registered a 3-2 win on penalties to advance to the quarter-finals of the quadrennial event.

“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,” Van Dijk told one reporter.

“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. You perform together; you’re a team. Your claim that I destroyed Dutch football after the World Cup — that sort of thing is completely baseless.

“The plan is devised by the staff. Nonsense is being spread so that I look even worse. That happens far too often.

“I was told that it was my fault we played with five, that Ronald Koeman and I have destroyed Dutch football.

“The plan worked for 89 minutes, even though it was a bad match. We almost broke through. The idea that I destroyed Dutch football makes absolutely no sense. I didn’t decide that.”

The Liverpool captain admitted he considered International retirement after the Netherlands’ exit from the World Cup but reversed his decision after speaking with new head coach Xavi.

“I needed a holiday with my family and then an important meeting with the national coach: After 10 seconds it was already clear that I would continue,” the defender added.

“What he said? That I am Virgil van Dijk. It is about trust, appreciation, how important you are for the team. Physically there is — and was — no doubt but you also want to feel appreciation and pleasure.”

The Dutch team will begin their UEFA Nations League campaign against Jurgen Klopp’s Germany on Thursday.