Image Credits: Imago Images
Wayne Rooney’s critique of Virgil van Dijk’s leadership during Liverpool’s recent downturn sparked a confrontation of sorts on live television.
The Manchester United legend had questioned the Dutch defender’s body language and motivation after his lucrative contract extension in April, suggesting his form had dipped since penning the deal.
Van Dijk labeled the comments as “lazy criticism” following Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa.
The pair then came face-to-face on Tuesday night when Van Dijk was with Rooney during Amazon Prime’s post-match coverage of Liverpool’s Champions League victory over Real Madrid.
Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the pundit, the Liverpool captain said external noise had been “over the top” and challenged Rooney to consider how ex-players should “put things into perspective” given their experience of difficult moments
Rooney, initially defensive, maintained his criticism held merit while acknowledging Liverpool’s turnaround in form.
However, the former England striker, speaking on his BBC podcast, has revealed that he appreciates that Van Dijk came out to speak to him on Tuesday night, as it was originally supposed to be Dominik Szoboszlai:
“I thought he was good that night [vs Real Madrid], and I had loads of people say, ‘Oh, when he came up to you,’ I think fair play to him for coming out,” the Manchester United legend said.
“We didn’t know he was coming out. It was meant to be [Dominik] Szoboszlai, I think, to come to the table. But I think fair play to him, he came out and he put his point across.”
“Listen, Virgil van Dijk over the last five, four years has been one of, if not, the best centre-backs in the world, and his performances have dipped over the last few weeks.”
“I’ve had my opinion on that; he has his own, which you have to respect. But when you’re the Premier League champions, teams are coming for you, and when you don’t win one game, people ask questions.”
“So, when you don’t win four games in a row, of course, there are questions about the captain. I think I said it a few weeks ago on here, what he should be and he will be doing is getting the players together.”
Rooney then admitted that his criticism surrounding Van Dijk’s appearances since he signed his new deal was a bit “unfair”:
“I think Van Dijk, his issue was– maybe I was a bit unfair on that because I don’t know him as a person. I said he got his new contract and he looked like down a little bit.”
“So maybe I was a little bit unfair on that comment, but from a performance point of view, I think I was speaking what I felt and what I was seeing, and I think I was right on them.”
Perhaps Rooney did not expect his comments to go as viral as they did, but fair play to the 40-year-old for admitting when he is wrong.
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