Pundit reiterates that Van Dijk’s performances have dipped this season
Wayne Rooney has told Virgil van Dijk he should ignore outside criticism and concentrate on improving his form after a difficult few weeks for his team, continuing the back and forth between the pundit and the Liverpool captain.
The pair were involved in a tense exchange last week following Liverpool’s Champions League win over Real Madrid, when Van Dijk confronted Rooney over his earlier comments about the Dutchman’s apparently failing leadership during the club’s recent losing streak.
Reacting to Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday, Rooney said on The Overlap Fan Debate podcast: “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.”
Having admitted that error, Rooney stood by his assessment that Van Dijk’s performances have dipped this season.
“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,” said the former Manchester United captain.
“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.”
