Virgil van Dijk and Wayne Rooney: ‘It was over the top’ – Liverpool defender slams Rooney criticism

Van Dijk approached the Amazon Prime pitch and greeted all the pundits – including Rooney – before standing next to the former England striker.

The interview began with presenter Gabe Logan asking Van Dijk to review the win before Logan then spoke about the poor performance by the Reds, and how important the team meeting after the 2-1 loss to Manchester United on October 19 was in improving the level.

Van Dyck: “It’s easy to say now because we’ve won two in a row, that’s helped well but in a world of chaos you have to try to stay calm and look at things from perspective. It was October, there was a lot of football to be played, a lot of twists and turns that could happen and I think sometimes it was too much noise (he said with a small smile on his face).”

Logan: “Are you looking at anyone here in particular?”

Van Dyck: “No, not everything, but listen, I think it’s very important to put things in perspective, keep your head down and work and get out of the situation because the quality we have is not the problem. It’s about continuing to work and keep going.”

Robbie Fowler: “Does outside noise affect you or are you happy to move on and do what you have to do and try to set people straight?”

Van Dyck: “I think you all know here that you are dealing with a squad of 25 players, a lot of young players and a couple of older players like me, and everyone lives a different life. I can say for me personally this does not affect me but as a captain, I am dealing with players that might be affected by this.”

Logan: Do you think some of the criticism was fair?

Van Dyck: “Of course, if you lose four or five games in a row as a Liverpool player, that’s a fair criticism, and that’s completely normal in that sense. But I think he went over the top sometimes too at that point, but that’s because we live in a world with so many platforms and so many people can say things, they will be picked up and made bigger. I think it’s good that former players who have played at the highest level and who have dealt with difficult moments are putting a lot into perspective (Rooney laughs),” he said with a smile.

Ronnie: “I won’t say anything anymore because I think I motivated them and put them on the winning path!

“I think what I said was fair when you win the Premier League and then lose three or four games in a row, which is not what you expect from Liverpool over the last few years.

“Since Virgil is the captain, I think this is your chance to go and lead the players and that’s what I was saying. It happens in football and I think the response has been great from Virgil and the team.”

Van Dyck: “I think if I watched the games I would definitely take responsibility. I think the comment that I signed my new contract and then was like ‘this is it’ and I let it go, I think that was a bit… but that’s my personal opinion and we’ll move forward.”

Once the interview was over, Van Dyck hugged Rooney and the rest of the Amazon Prime team before leaving the group.