Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk couldn’t resist firing a subtle shot back at Wayne Rooney after the pundit’s recent remarks questioning his form. Despite being one of Liverpool’s standout performers for years, Van Dijk has, like several of the club’s key stars, endured a tough spell lately.
The Reds have had a shaky start to the season, suffering six losses in seven games before finally getting back on track with two straight wins.
Rooney had openly criticised Van Dijk on his BBC podcast, and the two came face-to-face during Amazon Prime Video’s coverage of last night’s match.
What Did Van Dijk Say to Rooney?
Following Liverpool’s 1-0 Champions League victory over Real Madrid, Van Dijk admitted that some of the criticism aimed at him had gone too far.
With Rooney standing right beside him, Van Dijk said:
> “If you lose four or five games in a row at Liverpool, criticism is normal. But at times it becomes exaggerated. With so many platforms and voices, things get blown out of proportion.
> It’s helpful when former players who’ve faced tough moments themselves put things into perspective.”
Rooney responded calmly:
> “What I said was fair. When you win the Premier League and then lose three or four games on the bounce, it’s unexpected for Liverpool. As captain, it’s your moment to show leadership. And to be fair, Virgil and the team have responded well.”
Van Dijk then delivered a subtle but pointed reply:
> “If you watched the games, you’d see I always take responsibility. The idea that I signed a new contract and then relaxed… I thought that was a bit much — but that’s just my opinion. Anyway, we move on.”
The Dutch defender certainly made his point on the pitch, delivering a commanding performance to help Liverpool secure a vital win over one of Europe’s biggest clubs — silencing his critics in style.
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