Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk took on Wayne Rooney over pundits’ criticism of his leadership during the losing streak in an awkward post-match interview following the win over Real Madrid.
Alexis McAllister’s second-half header sealed a 1-0 Champions League win at Anfield to make it back-to-back wins and clean sheets after Liverpool ended a four-game losing streak in the Premier League by beating Aston Villa on Saturday.
When Liverpool were at their lowest ebb following defeat at Brentford, Rooney said Van Dijk’s body language was “worrying” and questioned whether the captain’s leadership had suffered after signing a new contract at the end of last season.
Virgil van Dijk says some criticism of Liverpool was ‘too much’
Van Dijk, standing directly next to Rooney, said Prime in his post-match interview following Liverpool’s win that at times the outside noise was “over the top” without directly referring to the Manchester United legend’s comments.
He then added: “It would be good if especially former players who played at the highest level, who also dealt with difficult times, put a lot of things into perspective.”
Rooney, who appeared taken aback by the defender’s comments, replied: “I think what I said was fair.
He added: “The response (to their struggles) has been great from Virgil and the team.
Van Dijk, however, disagreed and replied: “I think if you were to watch the games, then I would definitely take the responsibility.
“I think the comment is that I signed my new contract and then it’s like, that’s it and I let (things) slide, I think it was a bit… but that’s my personal opinion.
Van Dijk and Rooney exchange in full
Van Dijk: “There was a lot of noise at times. It’s very important to put things in perspective, put your head down and work.”
“It doesn’t affect me personally, but as a captain I deal with players who could be affected.”
“Of course, if you lose four or five games in a row as a Liverpool player, that’s fair. It’s normal in that sense.
“And it’s sometimes too much, but that’s because we live in a world where there are so many platforms, so many people can say things and it will be picked up and made bigger than what it is.”
“I think it would be good for former players who played at the highest level who dealt with difficult times to put things into perspective.”
Rooney: “I’m not saying anything else because I think I got them going! We got them on a winning streak! I think what I said was fair.
“When you win the Premier League and then go on a run where you lose three, four games in a row, that’s not what you expect from Liverpool over the last few years.
“And then Virgil, you as the captain, it’s your chance to go and bring players in. That’s what happens in football and I think the response from Virgil, from the team, was excellent.”
Van Dijk: “I think if you were to watch the games, then I would definitely take responsibility. I think the comment is that I signed my new contract and then that was it, and I let it go. I think it was a bit… but that’s my personal opinion.”
(Asked if he uses things like that to motivate him): “No. I want to perform for the team, for the club, for anyone who will support us in every way.
“When we go through a tough time as a team, when we lose games, obviously I’m happy that it hasn’t happened too many times, it hurts so much. And I want to turn this around because I also see the hard work that we put in every day. I see the quality that we have.”