'Some harsh words' - Virgil van Dijk gets defensive over 'disgraceful' comments but admits Netherlands must improve ahead of Euro 2024 last-16 tie

Ronald Koeman's team fell to a 3-2 defeat to Austria this week, which led to former Dutch international Rafael van der Vaart calling the loss "disgraceful" - while also accusing the Liverpool centre-back of lacking "passion" in the contest. Now, the big defender has had his say on the matter.

He told reporters on Friday: "It goes without saying that I have to take responsibility now. We have spoken a lot in the last 48 hours and some harsh words have been spoken. That is of course necessary, because some things have certainly happened. I feel like it helped, but it's really time to show that. It makes perfect sense. I'm going to work on that too. I blame myself too. I'm not crazy, I know when things need to be improved. That's what I'm working on. That is the basis for getting better. The last match was definitely not my best, but personally that has not happened often this season. It is important to me that it stops now. That is the responsibility I take now. That responsibility is very great, especially at Oranje. And the criticism affects me."

Netherlands finished third in their group - behind Austria and France - and in years gone by, that would mean they would be out of the Euros. But with this expanded competition the Dutch have been given a second chance to put things right. However, they will have to improve if they want to beat Romania in their last-16 tie.

Van Dijk's Netherlands side have a chance to redeem themselves on Tuesday when they take on Romania in the knockout stages. If they win that, they will face either Austria or Turkey four days later.