‘It was over the top’ – Van Dijk and Rooney’s awkward on-air exchange

After Liverpool won 1-0 against Real Madrid on Tuesday, Virgil van Dijk publicly criticized Wayne Rooney for his “over the top” comments.

After the game, the Liverpool captain addressed Amazon Prime, where he received questions from Rooney-related pundits, including the captain.

After a run of four Premier League defeats straight, the former Manchester United striker criticized Van Dijk and his fellow Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah’s body language on the Wayne Rooney Show last month.

Rooney responded by blatantly criticizing Van Dijk, before doubling down on his criticism.

They first met face-to-face on Tuesday after making comments, which caused a slightly awkward encounter.

Van Dijk greeted all the pundits, including Rooney, before standing next to the former England striker as he approached the Amazon Prime team pitchside.

Van Dijk addressed the Reds’ poor run, the team’s performance, and how crucial a team meeting was to improving after the 2-1 defeat to Manchester United on October 19. Presenter Gabby Logan asked Van Dijk to review the win.

Van Dijk: “In a world of chaos, you have to try and stay calm and keep perspective,” Van Dijk said. “It is simple to say that because we won twice in a row that it helped pretty well. I believe there was a lot of noise at that meeting because it was October, there was a lot of football playing, and there were a lot of twists and turns (said with a small smile on his face).

Logan, are you really looking at anyone around here?

Van Dijk: “No, no not at all, but listen, I think it’s very important to put things in perspective, keep your head down, work, and get out of this situation because of the quality we have, that’s not the issue.” Keep working and keep moving, really.

Robbie Fowler: “Does the outside noise affect you, or are you just happy plodding along, doing what you need to, and trying to fix things”?

Van Dijk: “I think you all know that you are dealing with a squad of 25 players, including a number of young players and a few older players like myself, and everyone leads a different life.” I can honestly say that it doesn’t bother me, but that as a captain I’m dealing with players who might be affected by it.

Logan: “Has some of the criticism been fair, do you think so?”

Van Dijk: “Of course, it is a fair criticism if you lose four or five games in a row as a Liverpool player. That is absolutely normal.” However, I believe it is occasionally over the top, as well, because there are so many platforms where people can post content, and it will be expanded. I think it’s good that former players who played at the highest level and who handled challenging situations (said Rooney with a smile) put things in perspective.

Rooney: “I’m not saying anything more because I believe I spurred them on and made them win!”

You don’t expect anything from Liverpool over the past few years, which is fair when you win the Premier League and then go on a run where you lose three or four games in a row.

“I believe that is your opportunity to go and lead the players,” Virgil said. I believe Virgil and the team have responded well to that in football.

Van Dijk: “I believe I would take responsibility for what I watch.” I believe the statement that I signed my new contract was “that is it” and I let it go, I believe it was a little, but that’s my personal opinion, and we move on.”