Virgil van Dijk clapped back at Wayne Rooney’s criticism in an awkward post-match interview on Tuesday night.
Rooney was part of the Amazon Prime coverage of Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid at Anfield — a clash that the Reds won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Alexis Mac Allister.
While it was a statement win for Arne Slot’s side, Van Dijk conducted an interview with the Amazon Prime panel after the match and was asked about the club’s recent form and his role, as captain, in leading a team meeting to inspire the team back to winning ways.
Asked about his inspirational team message, Van Dijk replied: “It’s easy to say when we win twice in a row that it helped but in a world of chaos we have to try to stay calm and keep perspective with things.
“At the time of that meeting, it was October, there was so much football to be played and so many twists and turns that can happen and at times the noise was a lot.”
Virgil van Dijk Claps Back At Wayne Rooney
The Liverpool defender’s dig came after Rooney claimed that Van Dijk’s body language had changed since signing his new contract at Anfield earlier this season.
Asked if he was looking at anyone in particular, Van Dijk smiled and said: “Not at all. It’s important to put things in perspective and keep your head down and work because of the quality we have. It’s about keeping working.
“All of you know we’re dealing with a squad of 25 players, a lot of young players and a couple of older players like myself and everyone lives a different life. For me personally, I can say it doesn’t affect me, but as a captain I’m dealing with some players who might have been affected by it.”
Asked if it’s fair, Van Dijk said: “Of course. As a Liverpool player, if you lose four or five in a row, then, of course, it’s fair criticism. That’s absolutely normal in that sense, but I think it’s over the top at times as well. That’s because we live in a world where so many platforms and so many people can say stuff, and it’ll be picked up and made bigger.”
With a smirk, Van Dijk added: “I think it’s good that ex-players who played at the highest level and dealt with difficult moments to put things in perspective.”
Rooney responded: “I think I’ve spurred them on and put them on a winning streak! But I think what I said was fair.
“When you win the Premier League and then go on a run where you lose three or four games in a row, which you wouldn’t expect, with Virgil as captain, that’s your opportunity to lead the players and I think the response has been great from Virg and the team.”
In response, Van Dijk said: “I think if you watch the games then I think I take the responsibility. I think the comment about how I signed my new deal and then let it slide was a bit…but that’s my personal opinion, and we move on.”