Image Credits: Imago Images
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and Wayne Rooney have been involved in a few back-and-forths in recent weeks, sparked by Rooney’s criticism of Van Dijk’s leadership during Liverpool’s difficult spell that saw them lose six of seven matches.
Rooney initially questioned Van Dijk’s commitment after signing a new contract, suggesting the defender had “downed tools” and that his body language was negatively affecting teammates.
The former Manchester United striker also claimed Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah hadn’t “really led the team” this season.
Van Dijk fired back, labelling Rooney’s analysis as “lazy criticism” and defending his leadership credentials.
The pair then came face-to-face on Amazon Prime Video following Liverpool’s victory over Real Madrid. I
On-air exchange, Van Dijk directly addressed Rooney’s comments about downing tools after his contract extension, calling them unfair.
Rooney later admitted he’d been “a bit too strong” with his criticism, acknowledging it was “unfair” to suggest Van Dijk had stopped trying after securing his new deal.
But it seems like the Manchester United legend just can’t let it go.
Speaking on the Overlap fan debate, the 40-year-old initially acknowledged that his comments were over the top:
“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 the ex-Birmingham City manager then went on to claim that Van Dijk and Liverpool need to stop listening to the “outside noise:
“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,” Rooney continued.
“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.”
It seems like Rooney just can’t help but try and get the last word in, even though he apologised on his BBC podcast.
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