Rooney suggested Van Dijk lacked leadership qualities this term.
In response, the Dutch defender said after his side’s 2-0 win against Aston Villa that he thought the critical comments were “lazy”.
When asked about Rooney’s words, Van Dijk replied: “I didn’t listen to him last year.” “Honestly, it doesn’t hurt me. I feel like this particular player, and obviously a legend in this game, just coming back to be a big player in the game. I can only say positive things, but I think that comment is a bit of a lazy criticism.
“This is my personal opinion. It’s easy to blame other players, but he knows, just like the other players, that we’re all in this together and trying to help each of us try to get out of this situation.”
“Like I said, you didn’t hear any of that last year when things were going well, and that’s the way it is.
“You have to do the job too, so that’s what it is. It’s natural that everyone has an opinion and you have to deal with it.”
“By the way, there are no hard feelings. I don’t take it personally at all, but I feel that way.”
Rooney has since hit back at Van Dijk’s comments, insisting the Liverpool star has not been at his typical level this season, but insisting he has great respect for the player.
“Van Dijk, like Mo Salah, has been one of the best defenders in the world, if not the best defender in the world, over the last five years. He was so good last year that it was hard to say anything bad about him,” Rooney explained on the BBC’s podcast.
“If he’s honest with himself, he’ll probably come out and say this season hasn’t been his best. And as a captain, your job when things don’t go well is to talk to your teammates and call a meeting with your teammates. And that’s really what I said as a captain and as a leader. I’m sure he’s done that.”
“I have total respect for Virgil van Dijk and think he’s a great player. My job now as a pundit is to say what I feel.
“If you ask him, if you ask Arne Slott, he’s probably not as good as he has been in the last few years. That was my comment.”
Liverpool return to action on Tuesday night in a blockbuster Champions League game at home to Real Madrid.
The Reds will face second-placed Manchester City on Sunday.
