Virgil van Dijk has transformed into one of the world’s best since leaving Celtic in 2015.
The Celtic hero spent two seasons in the famous green and white colours before ending up at Southampton, and that road then led him to Liverpool, as well as ultimate trophy glory.
While Celtic watch the Champions League from afar this season, after their abject showing in the competition during the qualifiers in August.
Van Dijk is hoping to lift European Cup trophy number two with Liverpool this season, but it hasn’t come without the centre-back calling out Wayne Rooney live on Amazon Prime on Tuesday night after his side’s 1-0 win over Real Madrid.
Virgil van Dijk after Liverpool vs Real Madrid
Virgil van Dijk after Liverpool vs Real Madrid – Credit: Amazon Prime Sport
What did Wayne Rooney say?
After Liverpool won the Premier League title last season, Arne Slot’s side have had a bit of a struggle this term, including losing six games out of seven.
That resulted in Rooney calling out the big boys and questioning the leadership qualities of captain van Dijk and star man Mohamed Salah.
At the end of October, Rooney told BBC Sport that the body language of the duo is a ‘big concern’ and it all totally changed since they signed new deals.
“Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, they’ve signed new deals, but I don’t think they’ve really led that team this season,” stated Rooney on October 27.
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“I think body language tells you a lot, and I think we’re seeing slightly different body language from the two of them,” stated Rooney. “They are the top two players in that team, and if their body language is not right, that affects everyone else.
“I might be wrong on this, but if I were a Liverpool fan or the manager, that would be a big concern for me.”
Celtic hero Virgil van Dijk responds after Liverpool beat Real Madrid
Amazon is one of the host broadcasters for Champions League football in the UK, and Rooney was a pundit for Liverpool’s league phase clash against Madrid at Anfield.
When the Reds, who also beat Aston Villa over the weekend to end their losing run, secured all three points, as well as a clean sheet.
Van Dijk was sure to confront Rooney on live TV and call out his comments as the Manchester United legend stood alongside the towering centre-back.
Van Dijk: “Of course, if you lose four or five games in a row as a Liverpool player, then it is a fair criticism, that is absolutely normal in that sense.
“But I think it is over the top at times as well, but that is because we live in a world with so many platforms and so many people can say stuff, it will be picked up and made bigger. I think it is good that ex-players who played at the highest level, who dealt with difficult moments as well, it puts a lot in perspective.”
Rooney laughs and responds: “I am not saying anything any more because I think I spurred them on and put them on a winning streak!
“I think what I’ve said was fair when you win the Premier League and then go on a run where you lose three or four games in a row, which you don’t expect from Liverpool over the last few years.
“As Virgil is captain, I think that is your opportunity to go and lead the players, and that is what I was saying. That happens in football, and I think the response has been great from Virgil and the team.”
Van Dijk: “I think if you watched games, then I would definitely take responsibility. I think the comment that I signed my new deal and then it was like ‘that is it’ and I let it slide, I think that was a bit… but that’s my personal opinion and we move on.”