Virgil van Dijk has fired back at Wayne Rooney after the former England captain questioned his leadership and body language during Liverpool’s recent slump, dismissing the remarks as “lazy” and demonstrating why he remains the cornerstone of the Reds.
Rooney had expressed concern over Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah’s influence on the team during a period of intense scrutiny, suggesting their mannerisms were “a big concern” as Liverpool endured six defeats in seven matches across all competitions, including four successive Premier League losses.
But Van Dijk, speaking after Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa at Anfield on Saturday, offered a calm and measured response.
“I didn’t hear him last year,” Van Dijk said. “No, it doesn’t hurt me to be honest. 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, a bit of a lazy criticism.
“That’s my personal opinion. It’s easy to blame the older players, but he knows, obviously as well as everyone else, we do it together, trying to help each and every one of us to try to get out of this. Like I said, last year, when things go well, you don’t hear that at all. It is what it is. Pundits have to do that job as well, so it is what it is. Like I said, he has an opinion and we have to deal with it. And there’s no hard feelings, by the way. I don’t take it personally whatsoever.”
Liverpool’s recent slide had placed enormous pressure on both the players and manager Arne Slot. Questions were being asked about how the team, which had coasted to last season’s Premier League title, would respond under duress. Van Dijk, as captain and defensive linchpin, became a focal point for scrutiny.
Yet on Saturday, even under a charged Anfield atmosphere and facing a determined Villa side, the Dutchman led with authority. Aston Villa attempted to unsettle Liverpool with early pressure. Morgan Rogers’ powerful strike smashed the post, while Matty Cash’s deflected shot forced a sharp save from Giorgi Mamardashvili. Evann Guessand weaved through the Liverpool defence inside the penalty area, but Van Dijk marshalled his backline with calm precision.
“To such an accomplished operator, it was just a piece of routine work. But to the Kop, it carried significance. The big man was back,” observers noted after the match, highlighting the symbolic and practical impact of Van Dijk’s performance.
Van Dijk reflected on the wider responsibilities of leadership, particularly under the constant microscope of modern football.
“I think it’s a funny thing, isn’t it? Because last year we didn’t hear anything about this, because obviously things were going well, and we were also seen as the leaders. And this year, when things are not going as well as we want so far the last couple of weeks, then we’re not doing our job properly. So that’s the life we live. We feel that responsibility. We want to lead by example.
“Obviously I can only speak for myself in this case. I know I’m the captain, and I know that if we do not have the best results or not great performances, then myself and the manager will definitely always be questioned. That’s part and parcel. I want to perform, not for myself, but for the team, for the club. That’s what I’ve been doing for all those years. I want to win things, I want to win games especially, and I’ve been very fortunate to win so many games with the club, especially here at home.”
He also addressed the modern reality of scrutiny across multiple platforms and the pressures it places on players.
“There are so many platforms nowadays that everyone can say whatever they like and it gets blown up. I’ve mentioned it after previous games, we have to stick together, focus on the task ahead, winning games, that’s the only thing we can control. And it’s very, it’s not easy to do that for everyone, but for me, I’m mature enough and I have a very stable life that I will be able to do so.”
Van Dijk emphasised collective responsibility and resilience, pointing out that leadership is not the responsibility of any single player, no matter their stature.
“We feel that responsibility. We want to lead by example. When there are difficult moments, I try to help my teammates. I try to put them in front of me and want to make them perform as best as possible. And then, when things don’t go well, that’s the world we live in and people question loads of stuff, especially when you lose. How many did we lose? Six in the last seven, yeah. So you know, there are so many platforms nowadays that everyone can say whatever they like and it gets blown up.”
Liverpool’s response on the pitch was emphatic. Mohamed Salah opened the scoring with a well-taken goal, continuing his fine run of form scoring in back-to-back games, and Ryan Gravenberch doubled the lead with a deflected strike. The performance not only delivered three points but reminded the team, the fans, and the wider footballing world that the collective leadership within the squad remains intact.
“As long as we believe, stay humble, and keep working, I feel like we can do it, and we all have that feeling. We have to go on, and I feel like internally there’s no doubt that we can do this together,” Van Dijk added.
The captain’s statements, combined with his commanding performance, highlight why Liverpool’s leaders remain capable of guiding the team through adversity. In a season dominated by pressure, punditry, and social media commentary, Van Dijk’s emphasis on accountability, collective effort, and internal belief offers a blueprint for leadership at one of the Premier League’s most demanding clubs.
With challenging fixtures ahead including matches against Real Madrid in the Champions League and Manchester City in the league Liverpool will need their captain’s calm, composure, and experience to navigate the storm. Van Dijk’s message is clear: criticism will come, but belief, humility, and teamwork will define the Reds’ path forward.
