Virgil van Dijk and Wayne Rooney in tense TV meeting after exchanging criticism

Virgil van Dijk and Wayne Rooney had an awkward meeting on live television at Anfield after exchanging criticism through the media.

Liverpool beat Real Madrid 1-0 on Tuesday night in the Champions League, with Alexis Mac Allister heading in the only goal of the game as the Reds deservedly downed the Spanish giants.

That was the second win on the spin for Arne Slot’s side after they beat Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday, but that came after a very sticky spell.

Liverpool lost five out of six games in all competitions and had attracted criticism, with Rooney suggesting star players Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah were not showing enough leadership after signing new contracts earlier this year.

‘Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, they’ve signed new deals but I don’t think they’ve really led that team this season,’ he said on The Wayne Rooney Show before Liverpool’s win over Villa.

‘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.

‘I might be wrong on this, but if I was a Liverpool fan or the manager, that would be a big concern for me.’

Van Dijk hit back, saying: ‘I didn’t hear him last year. 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 just a bit of a lazy criticism.

‘It’s easy to blame the older players but he knows as well as everyone else that we do it together and try to help each other to get out of this. There are so many platforms nowadays that everyone can say whatever they like and it gets blown up.’

Van Dijk came out to speak to the Amazon Prime pundits after the win over Real Madrid, with Rooney at the desk alongside Robbie Fowler, Theo Walcott and Daniel Sturridge.

Speaking about the criticism he and his team has faced, the Dutchman, standing alongside Rooney, said: ‘Of course if you lose four of five games in a row as a Liverpool player then that is a fair criticism. That’s absolutely normal in that sense.

‘But I think it’s over the top at times as well, at that point. This is because we live in a world with so many platforms, so many people can say stuff and it will be picked up and made bigger.

‘I think especially ex-players that played at the highest level, played at the top that dealt with difficult moments as well, to put things in perspective as well.’

Rooney responded, initially joking: ‘I’m not saying anything! I think I’ve spurred them on and put them on a winning streak.’

He explained his initial comments, saying: ‘When you win the Premier League and then go on a run of losing three or four games on a row, which you don’t expect from Liverpool over the last few years. With you as captain, I think that’s your opportunity to go and lead the players, that’s what I was saying. I think the response has been great from Virgil and the team.’

Van Dijk showed that Rooney’s analysis had annoyed him, saying: ‘I think if you watch games then I definitely take the responsibility.

‘I think the comment that I signed the new deal and I let it slide, I think that was a bit…but that’s my personal opinion and we move on.’

After Van Dijk returned to the dressing room, Rooney added: ‘What I was trying to say is that we know the standards he’s set.

‘When you win the Premier League the hardest thing then is to go on and do it again. He’ll tell you himself I don’t think he’s been at his best this season but over the last couple of games he’s getting back to that. When he’s at his best he’s one of the best in the world.’

The pair did shake hands and looked friendly enough, despite the Liverpool captain clearly not being impressed with the original comments of the Manchester United legend.

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