The war of words between the two Premier League legends continues as Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk responds to comments about Wayne Rooney’s captaincy, calling them “lazy criticism”
Former Manchester United and Everton striker Wayne Rooney has backed up his recent comments about Virgil van Dijk after the Liverpool captain hit back at the weekend. The former United and England captain questioned Van Dijk’s body language after the Premier League defeat to Brentford last week.
Liverpool endured a difficult season and won 2-0 against Aston Villa on Saturday, ending the reigning English top-flight champions’ four-game losing streak in the league. Arne Slott’s side had lost six of their last seven games in all competitions before the win against Unai Emery’s side.
Rooney suggested Van Dijk lacked leadership this season. In response, the Dutch centre-back said after Saturday’s 2-0 win against Aston Villa that he thought the critical comments were “lazy”.
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Rooney has since hit back at Van Dijk’s comments and insisted he rates the Liverpool defender highly, although the Dutchman’s retention has not been up to his usual standards this season.
“Van Dijk, like Mo Salah, has been one of the best defenders in the world over the last five years. He was so good last year that it was hard to say anything bad about him,” he said 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 is to talk to your teammates and call a meeting with your teammates if things don’t go well.”
“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.”
Van Dijk took exception to Rooney’s comments last week, saying at the weekend: “Well, 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.”
Liverpool return to action on Tuesday night with a Champions League home heavyweight clash against Real Madrid. Arne Slott’s side will face Premier League second-placed Manchester City on Sunday.
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