Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has responded to Wayne Rooney’s recent criticism of the team’s leadership, calling the comments “lazy criticism.”
The Dutch defender spoke out after Liverpool ended a four-game Premier League losing streak with a 3-0 win over Aston Villa at Anfield on Saturday.
Rooney had questioned Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah following Liverpool’s 3-1 defeat at Brentford on October 25, suggesting the duo hadn’t “really led the team this season.”
Van Dijk defended himself and his teammates, emphasizing teamwork and resilience.
“It doesn’t hurt me. Wayne is a legend and has inspired so many, so I only have positive things to say about him. But I feel that comment was a bit of lazy criticism,” Van Dijk said.
“It’s easy to blame individual players, but we work together to get through tough moments. Last year, when things went well, you didn’t hear that criticism. Pundits have their opinions, and we deal with it. No hard feelings.”
Rooney later stood by his comments on his podcast, while reaffirming his respect for the Liverpool captain.
“I’ve got full respect for Virgil. He’s a fantastic player,” Rooney said. “As a pundit, I share my opinions on what I see. I think he and Arne Slot haven’t been as good as in previous years, and that was my comment.”
Liverpool started the season strongly, winning their first five league matches under new manager Arne Slot, but recent defeats have slowed their momentum. The win against Villa lifted the Reds to third place, seven points behind leaders Arsenal.
Van Dijk also addressed speculation over Slot’s future, insisting the squad is united behind the manager.
“I’ve heard reports about Slot being under pressure, but we don’t make rash decisions here. We believe we can work our way out of this. As long as we stay humble, keep working, and believe, we can turn things around together,” he said.
The team now faces a pivotal week with a Champions League clash against Real Madrid at Anfield, followed by a crucial Premier League trip to Manchester City.
