Wayne Rooney has boldly decided to again criticise the form of Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool, having backtracked on recent comments about him.
The England legend and Van Dijk had an awkward exchange earlier this month, with the Reds’ skipper making it clear that he felt his comments had been over the top, in terms of claiming he had downed tools after signing a new deal.
Now, speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate podcast [via This Is Anfield], Rooney has again spoken about the Dutchman’s form, saying he has dipped this season:
“My job now is to give my opinions. I like to think I try and be straight and honest with my opinions on what I feel and what I see. I said on my podcast the other day, the one thing where I maybe went a bit too strong is where I said he’s maybe downed tools since he signed a new contract – that’s a big statement to say, so maybe I was wrong on that.
“But from a performance level, from what we’ve seen, Van Dijk, I don’t think he’s been at the level he has this season. I said I’m sure as captain he’d be speaking to players, taking the team out for food, which he said he has done. Clearly if he’s felt he’s done that, he’s had to do that, then there’s something not right.
“As champions, you can’t lose four games in a row. If you lose one game, there’s questions, and if you lose four in a row, there’s something not right.
“I think getting involved too much in the outside noise – that’s our job. Focus on your game, because as a younger player I’d be looking at Van Dijk and how he reacts to this, how is that going to help them? I just think you have to get on with your game and speak internally.”
Is Rooney’s criticism of Van Dijk harsh or fair?
Van Dijk’s form over the past month or so clearly hasn’t been at its world-class best, with his lazy attempt to block Nico Gonzalez’s shot in the 3-0 defeat at Manchester City summing up his recent performances.
That said, there are many more Liverpool players who deserve to be singled out more, from Ibrahima Konate to Alexis Mac Allister, with the 34-year-old excellent in the early weeks of the campaign when other defenders were struggling.
The Reds need Van Dijk back to his best after the international break, and lots of others for that matter, or the champions can wave goodbye to their title defence.