Virgil van Dijk urges Wayne Rooney to stop “over-the-top criticism” in an awkward post-match on-air exchange following win over Real Madrid
- Anweshan Ghosh
- Nov 5
- 3 min read
Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk confronted Wayne Rooney's criticism of his leadership abilities as he spoke standing next to Rooney in an awkward post-match interview after the stunning 1-0 victory against Real Madrid on Tuesday.
Alexis Mac Allister’s goal in the second half ended up being the winning goal of the game as the Reds marched on to gain three crucial points in the Champions League league stage while also ending their four-game losing streak.
The former Manchester United forward criticised Van Dijk's body language and stated that his performances have gone downhill after signing a new contract at the end of last season. He had also claimed that his poor leadership affected the team as well during their losing streak this season.
Speaking on his podcast with BBC, The Wayne Rooney Show, he says,
"Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, they've signed new deals but I don't think they've really led that team this eason." (sic)
He further added, "I think body language tells you a lot, and I think we're seeing slightly different body language from the two of them. They are the top two players in that team, and if their body language is not right, that affects everyone else.” (sic)
The Liverpool skipper responded to these comments in the pitch-side interview post-game, stating that such “outside noise” doesn't affect him, but the other players might get affected by these statements.
He normalised criticism when it comes after the team loses four to six games in a row but urged the Englishman that sometimes it's over the top.
"Of course [some of the criticism has been fair]; if you lose four or five games in a row as a Liverpool player, that is fair. It is normal in that sense,” said Van Dijk. (sic)
He further added, "It's over the top at times as well, but that is because we live in a world where there are so many platforms, so many people can say stuff, and it will be picked up and made bigger than what it is." (sic) while referencing Wayne Rooney's statement.
The Englishman defended his statement in the post-game interview, saying,
“I'm not saying anything more because I think I've spurred them on! We've put them on a winning streak! I think what I've said was fair.” (sic)
"When you win the Premier League and then you go on a run where you lose three or four games in a row, which you don't expect from Liverpool over the last few years. And then Virgil, you as the captain, that's your opportunity to go and lead the players in. That happens in football, and I think the response has been great from Virgil and from the team.” (sic)
The Liverpool skipper boldly hit back at the Man Utd legend, telling him to watch the games first before making comments on his leadership.
"I think if you would watch games, then I would definitely take the responsibility. I think the comment that I signed my new deal, and then it's like that's it, and I let it slide. I think that was a bit...but that's my personal opinion,” said Van Dijk to Rooney in the post-game interview. (sic)
He then urged the team to bounce back and carry momentum ahead in the season from this huge victory against the La Liga leaders and seemed quite relieved after ending the painful losing streak.
"When we go through a tough time as a team, when we're losing games – obviously I'm fortunate that it didn't happen too many times – it hurts me so much. And I want to turn this around because I also see the hard work we put in each and every day. I see the quality that we have.” said the Dutchman. (sic)
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