Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has addressed Wayne Rooney’s recent criticism head-on, calling the comments “over the top” during a post-match interview after Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Real Madrid on Tuesday night.
The exchange, broadcast live on Amazon Prime Video, marked the first time the two football icons came face-to-face since Rooney accused Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah of poor body language and leadership during Liverpool’s losing streak earlier this season.
Van Dijk’s response was composed yet pointed, highlighting the tension surrounding the debate over the defender’s form and leadership.
The Background: Rooney’s Criticism Sparks Debate
Last month, on The Wayne Rooney Show, the former Manchester United striker questioned Van Dijk’s attitude, suggesting his performances had dipped after signing a new contract.
Rooney claimed that Van Dijk’s body language had been “poor” and that as captain, he needed to “lead by example” during Liverpool’s four consecutive Premier League defeats.
Van Dijk quickly dismissed the remarks at the time, labelling them as “lazy criticism” — sparking a minor media feud.
However, Tuesday night’s Champions League encounter between Liverpool and Real Madrid provided the perfect stage for the two men to clear the air — albeit under the bright lights of live television.
The On-Air Encounter
Following Liverpool’s narrow win, Van Dijk approached the Amazon Prime punditry team pitchside. He shook hands with each of them, including Rooney, before taking his place beside the former England captain.
Presenter Gabby Logan began by asking Van Dijk about Liverpool’s improved form following a poor run of results. The Dutchman acknowledged the team’s internal meeting after their 2-1 loss to Manchester United in October as a turning point.
“It’s easy to say now because we’ve won twice in a row that it helped,” Van Dijk said. “But in a world of chaos, you have to stay calm and take perspective. At that time, there was a lot of noise.”
As Van Dijk smiled knowingly, Logan jokingly asked, “You looking at anybody round here in particular?”
The defender replied with a grin, “No, not at all — but it’s important to put things in perspective, keep your head down, and work.”
Van Dijk Addresses the “Outside Noise”
Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler then asked whether outside criticism from pundits affected the team.
“You’re dealing with a squad of 25 players, a lot of young players, and a few older ones like me,” Van Dijk said. “Personally, it doesn’t affect me, but as captain, I deal with players who might be affected.”
When pressed further about whether some of the criticism had been fair, Van Dijk acknowledged that losing four or five matches in a row naturally invites scrutiny.
“Of course, if you lose four or five games as a Liverpool player, it’s fair criticism,” he admitted. “But it can be over the top at times. With so many platforms, things get blown up. I think ex-players who’ve been through tough times can help put things in perspective.”
At that point, Rooney chuckled, clearly aware that Van Dijk’s words were partly directed at him.
Rooney Responds: “I Spurred Them On”
Attempting to lighten the mood, Rooney responded with humour.
“I’m not saying anything anymore,” he laughed. “I think I spurred them on and put them on a winning streak!”
He added, “What I said was fair — when you’ve won the Premier League and then lose three or four games, that’s not what we expect from Liverpool. As captain, that’s your chance to lead, and Virgil’s response has been great.”
Rooney’s attempt to explain his earlier remarks seemed to ease the atmosphere slightly, but Van Dijk wasn’t finished addressing the matter.
Van Dijk’s Measured Rebuttal
“If you watched the games, you’d see I take responsibility,” Van Dijk replied firmly. “The comment about me signing my new deal and then letting things slide — that was a bit much. That’s my personal opinion, and we move on.”
The response, calm but assertive, underlined Van Dijk’s leadership both on and off the pitch. It also demonstrated his willingness to confront criticism directly while maintaining professionalism — a quality often highlighted by his teammates and coaches.
Once the interview wrapped, Van Dijk shook hands with Rooney and the rest of the Amazon team before leaving the set, signalling that while the exchange was tense, it ended on respectful terms.
Liverpool’s Revival and Van Dijk’s Leadership
Liverpool’s 1-0 victory over Real Madrid, secured by a late goal from Darwin Núñez, marked another step in their recovery after a difficult spell earlier this season.
Under Van Dijk’s captaincy, the Reds have started to rediscover their defensive solidity and composure, traits that were missing during their autumn slump.
Manager Jürgen Klopp has often defended his captain, describing him as a “calm leader” who plays a crucial role in maintaining dressing room morale. Tuesday’s interview seemed to reflect that — Van Dijk balancing diplomacy with quiet defiance in front of millions of viewers.
A Respectful but Revealing Moment
While both men handled the situation with professionalism, the exchange offered a rare glimpse into how elite players react to public criticism — especially from fellow professionals.
Rooney, now a pundit and manager, is known for his forthright opinions, while Van Dijk has cultivated a reputation for composure and restraint. Their on-air confrontation encapsulated the tension between punditry and player performance in the modern media age.
For Liverpool fans, the moment may have felt like poetic justice: their captain defending both his leadership and his club’s spirit, live on air, against one of Manchester United’s most famous alumni.
As for Rooney, his lighthearted admission that he may have “spurred Liverpool on” was perhaps a subtle acknowledgment that his words, however critical, might have lit a fire under the Reds’ revival.
Either way, the exchange will be remembered as one of football broadcasting’s most talked-about moments of the season — a blend of professionalism, pride, and personality played out under the floodlights.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
