Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has brushed off Wayne Rooney’s recent claim that the Reds’ poor run of form comes down to weak leadership, describing the comments as “lazy criticism.”
The Dutch defender hit back after Liverpool snapped their four-game Premier League losing streak with a much-needed victory over Aston Villa at Anfield on Saturday.
Rooney had questioned both Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah following the Reds’ 3-1 defeat at Brentford on October 25, saying the pair had not “really led that team this season.”
Van Dijk, however, was quick to defend himself and his teammates when asked about the former Manchester United forward’s remarks.
“I didn’t hear him last year,” Van Dijk said. “It doesn’t hurt me. Just to come back to this particular player, obviously a legend, a big player of the game who inspired so many, I can say only positive things, but I feel that comment is, I would say, a bit of a lazy criticism.
“It’s easy to blame other players but he knows we do it together, trying to help each and every one of us to get out of this. Last year, when things went well, you didn’t hear that at all. It is what it is. [Pundits] have to do that job. He has an opinion and we have to deal with it. There’s no hard feelings. I don’t take it personally.”
Rooney, speaking later on his podcast, stood by his comments but stressed that he still respects the Liverpool skipper.
“I’ve got full respect for Virgil. I think he’s a fantastic player,” Rooney said. “My job now as a pundit is to give my opinions on what I feel. I’m sure if you ask him or Arne Slot, he probably hasn’t been as good as he has been over the last few years. That was my comment which I stick by.”
Liverpool started the season in strong form, winning their first five league games under new manager Arne Slot, but recent defeats have left them trailing in the title race. The win against Villa lifted them to third place, seven points behind leaders Arsenal.
With crucial fixtures ahead, Slot’s men face Real Madrid at Anfield in the Champions League on Tuesday before visiting Manchester City on Sunday in what could prove a defining week in their season.
Van Dijk also dismissed suggestions that Slot’s position was under threat, insisting the players were united behind the Dutch manager.
“I’ve heard the reports as well about [Slot] being under pressure, but I don’t think we play at a club that makes rash decisions,” Van Dijk said. “We all felt that we could work our way out of this. It’s not a guarantee, but we can do it together. As long as we believe, stay humble and keep working, we can do it, and we all have that feeling.”
