“This is a time when coaches and team leaders need to resolve issues quickly.
“Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, they signed new contracts, but I don’t think they really led the team this season.
“I think you can tell a lot from body language, and I think their body language is a little bit different. They’re the top two players on that team, and if their body language isn’t right, it’s going to affect everyone else.”
“I could be wrong on this, but if I were a Liverpool fan or manager, that would be a big concern for me.”
Liverpool then won against Aston Villa and Van Dijk replied:I didn’t hear his voice last year. It doesn’t hurt me. Going back to this particular player who is clearly a legend and a great player of this game who inspired many, I have nothing but positive things to say, but I feel like that comment is just a bit of a lazy criticism. ”
Rooney doubled down on that criticism this week, telling a BBC podcast: “I have total respect for Virgil. I think he’s a great player. Your job now as a pundit is to say what you feel. If you ask him or Arne Slott, I’m sure he probably hasn’t been as good as he has been in the last few years. That’s my comment and I’ll stick to it.”
That led to an awkward encounter at Anfield as Van Dijk joined the group pitchside to greet Rooney along with everyone else.
After commenting on the win against Real Madrid, presenter Gabby Logan asked Van Dijk about the criticism he has received in recent weeks.
Full record of Virgil van Dijk and Wayne Rooney:
Van Dijk: “It’s easy to say now that it helped us a lot because we won two in a row, but in a chaotic world you have to stay calm and try to keep things in perspective. At the time of that meeting, it was October, so there was so much football being played, so many twists and turns that could have happened, and I think there was a lot of noise at times.”
Logan: “Are you looking at anyone here in particular?”
Van Dijk: “No, not everything, but listen. I think it’s very important to keep things in perspective, keep your head down and work through the situation. Because the quality that we have, that’s not the issue. The issue is to keep working and keep moving forward.”
Robbie Fowler: “Does the noise outside affect you, or are you just plodding along, content to do your thing and try to make people right?”
Van Dijk: “I think everyone here knows that you’re dealing with a team of 25 players. There’s a lot of young players and some older players like me too, and everyone has a different life. I can say it doesn’t affect me personally, but as captain I’m playing against players who could be affected by that.”
Logan: “Do you think some of the criticism was fair?”
Van Dijk: “Of course, if you lose four or five games in a row as a Liverpool player, that’s a valid criticism. In that sense it’s completely normal. But at that point I think it’s sometimes too much, but it’s because we have so many Because we live on a platform and we live in a world where so many people have a voice, and it’s going to get picked up and grow. I think it’s good that former players who played at the highest level and also dealt with difficult moments put in a lot of effort.” ”
Rooney: “I think I inspired them and led them to the winning streak, so I won’t say anything more!”
“I think it was fair to say that when you win the Premier League and then you lose three or four games in a row, that’s something you don’t expect for Liverpool in recent years.
“Virgil is the captain so I think it’s his chance to lead the players and that’s what I was saying. That happens in football and I think the reaction from Virgil and the team has been great.”
Van Dijk: “If you were watching the game, I definitely take responsibility. I think there were a few comments that I had signed a new contract and they were like, ‘That’s it’ and ignored it… But that’s my personal opinion and we move on.”
