Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has called Wayne Rooney’s comments about him “lazy criticism”.
Liverpool are the defending champions in the Premier League as their manager, Arne Slot, won the title last year in his debut season.
However, after starting the 2025–26 campaign with five straight wins, their form suddenly declined, as they suffered a fourth consecutive league defeat at Brentford last week, following the loss to Brentford.
Former England and Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has blamed the leadership for the slump, saying Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah have not led the side well. He also said that the Dutch defender is no more among the best in the world.
Van Dijk has responded, calling Rooney’s comments a “lazy criticism”, saying it doesn’t hurt him.
“I didn’t hear him last year,” Van Dijk said after Liverpool secured a victory against Aston Villa on Saturday.
“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 I would say it’s a bit of a lazy criticism.”
Van Dijk added that it is easy to blame others, but as a team, we do it together. Rooney has his opinion, and we respect that.
“It’s easy to blame the other players but he knows we do it together, trying to help each and every one of us to try to get out of this. Last year when things go well you don’t hear that at all. It is what it is,” Van Dijk added.
“[Pundits] have to do that job. He has an opinion and we have to deal with it. There’s no hard feelings. I don’t take it personally.”
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In his latest podcast, Rooney said Van Dijk is no more one of the best defenders in the world.
“I’ve got full respect for Virgil. I think he’s a fantastic player,” he said.
“My job now as a pundit is to give my opinions on what I feel.
“I’m sure if you ask him or Arne Slot, he probably hasn’t been as good as he has been over the last few years. That was my comment which I stick by.”
Liverpool are third in the Premier League, seven points behind Arsenal, who are leading the table, and the Reds are heading towards two important games this week.
Slot’s side is set to host Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday before they take on Manchester City in an away fixture in the Premier League on Sunday.
Van Dijk also discussed Slot’s situation, saying reports are coming that the coach is under pressure, but we are in the club which does not take rash decisions.
“I’ve heard the reports as well about [Slot] being under pressure, but I don’t think we play at a club that makes rash decisions,” stated Van Dijk.
“We all felt that we can work our way out of this. It’s not a guarantee, but we can do it together. As long as we believe, stay humble and keep working, we can do it, and we all have that feeling.”
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