Following Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Aston Villa, defender Virgil van Dijk addressed recent criticisms made by football legend Wayne Rooney. On his show, Rooney suggested that Van Dijk and others have shown a lack of leadership this season, describing their body language as “not right.” Van Dijk, responding to these comments, expressed that such evaluations are “lazy.”
When asked about Rooney’s remarks, Van Dijk stated, “I didn’t hear him last year,” highlighting that criticism tends to surface during challenging times. “It doesn’t hurt me to be honest,” he continued. He acknowledged Rooney’s status as a football icon but maintained that labeling his performance as lacking leadership was an oversimplification.
The Dutch international emphasized the collective effort required in football, asserting, “It is easy to blame all the players, but he knows as well as everyone else we do it together.” He noted that when the team performs well, criticism is often absent, suggesting that media narratives can quickly shift based on results.
Van Dijk’s comments come after Liverpool ended a streak of four consecutive defeats with this recent win, moving them up to third in the Premier League table. Goals from Mohamed Salah and another player contributed to the important victory, which places Liverpool seven points behind the league leaders.
The defender reflected on the match, stating, “I think it was just a good performance.” He credited the team’s hard work in defense as key to their clean sheet and noted their capability to score goals. “We got the win, and now we move on,” he added, indicating a focus on future matches.
In closing, Van Dijk shared his commitment to the team and club, saying, “I want to perform not for myself but for the team, for the club.” He reiterated his desire to help his teammates through difficult moments, reinforcing his role as a leader on and off the pitch.
Liverpool’s next challenge will be critical as they aim to maintain their momentum in the Premier League.
