Virgil van Dijk Responds to Wayne Rooney’s Criticism in Awkward Post-Match Exchange
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk had an uncomfortable yet composed exchange with Wayne Rooney following the Reds’ 1–0 Champions League victory over Real Madrid at Anfield on Tuesday night.
The match, decided by Alexis Mac Allister’s winning goal, was a crucial statement for Arne Slot’s side, who have been looking to rebuild momentum after a string of mixed results. Van Dijk, speaking to the Amazon Prime panel post-match, was asked about his leadership role and a recent players-only meeting he led to reignite the team’s confidence.
Reflecting on that meeting, the Dutch defender explained,
“It’s easy to say now, after back-to-back wins, that it helped. But in a world full of chaos, we have to stay calm and keep perspective. At that time, back in October, there was still so much football to play, and plenty of twists ahead. The outside noise was intense, but as captain, it was about keeping everyone grounded.”
Van Dijk’s comments subtly referenced Rooney’s earlier criticism. The former Manchester United striker, now working as a pundit for Amazon Prime, had suggested that Van Dijk’s body language and performances had dipped since he signed his new Liverpool contract earlier in the season.
When asked directly whether his remarks were aimed at anyone in particular, Van Dijk smiled and calmly replied:
“Not at all. We just need to keep working hard. We’ve got a mix of young and experienced players, and everyone reacts differently to pressure. Personally, I don’t get affected by the outside talk, but as captain, I have to support those who might be.”
Addressing the wider criticism of Liverpool’s form, Van Dijk acknowledged that scrutiny comes with the territory:
“It’s fair to be criticised if you lose several games in a row — that’s football. But sometimes it goes over the top. We live in a world where anyone can say something online, and suddenly it becomes a big story. That’s why it’s important for ex-players who’ve been through tough times themselves to keep perspective.”
Rooney, laughing off the tension, responded in good spirits:
“Maybe I’ve motivated them! My comments were fair — when you’re captain and things go wrong, that’s your chance to lead. And I think Virgil’s response and the team’s reaction have been fantastic.”
Van Dijk, smiling but firm, had the final word:
“I always take responsibility. The comment about me signing a new deal and then dropping off — I found that a bit unfair, but that’s just my opinion. We move on.”
The exchange ended on a respectful note, though the brief tension between two footballing icons was evident. Still, with Liverpool back to winning ways in Europe, Van Dijk let his performance do most of the talking — a fitting reply to his critics
