Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has dismissed Wayne Rooney’s recent comments about his leadership as “lazy criticism,” defending both himself and his teammates amid a challenging spell for the Premier League champions.
The Reds, who lifted the league title last season under new manager Arne Slot, have endured a difficult run of form in the early stages of the 2025–26 campaign. After starting brightly with five consecutive league victories, they have stumbled, losing four straight Premier League matches before finally returning to winning ways against Aston Villa on Saturday.
Rooney, speaking after Liverpool’s defeat to Brentford last week, claimed that Van Dijk and forward Mohamed Salah had failed to show leadership during the club’s recent slump. “They’ve not really led that team this season,” said the former Manchester United and England captain, now working as a television pundit.
Van Dijk, however, rejected Rooney’s analysis following the 2-0 victory over Villa at Anfield, suggesting the criticism was too simplistic. “I didn’t hear him last year,” the Dutch defender said. “It doesn’t hurt me, but to come back to this particular player — obviously a legend, a big player of the game who inspired many — I can only say positive things about him. But that comment, I would say, is a bit of a lazy criticism.
“It’s easy to blame players individually, but he knows we do everything together. We’re trying to help each other, to get out of this moment. Last year, when things went well, you didn’t hear those comments at all. It is what it is.”
Van Dijk added that he bears no ill will towards Rooney. “Pundits have to do their jobs,” he said. “He has an opinion, and we have to deal with it. There are no hard feelings. I don’t take it personally.”
Rooney Responds
In response, Rooney stood by his original remarks but maintained his respect for Van Dijk. Speaking on his podcast, the 39-year-old said, “I’ve got full respect for Virgil. I think he’s been one of the best defenders in the world over the past five years. My job now as a pundit is to give my opinion on what I see.
“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 point, and I stick by it.”
Slot Under Scrutiny
Liverpool’s inconsistent form has inevitably placed some pressure on manager Arne Slot, who succeeded Jürgen Klopp in 2024. The Dutchman guided the club to a memorable title in his first season, but this campaign has tested his squad’s resilience.
“I’ve heard the reports about [Slot] being under pressure, but I don’t think we play at a club that makes rash decisions,” said Van Dijk. “We all feel we can work our way out of this. It’s not guaranteed, but we can do it together. As long as we believe, stay humble, and keep working, we’ll come through it. We all have that feeling.”
Liverpool currently sit third in the Premier League table, seven points behind leaders Arsenal, as they enter a critical week that could define their season. The Reds face Real Madrid in the Champions League at Anfield on Tuesday before a blockbuster clash with Manchester City at the Etihad on Sunday.
Balancing Criticism and Confidence
While Van Dijk’s leadership has been questioned, few dispute his importance to Liverpool’s success in recent years. The 34-year-old has captained the side through transitions in style and personnel, with his composure and consistency remaining key attributes.
Still, as Rooney and other pundits have pointed out, the standards at a club like Liverpool demand constant excellence. Whether the recent dip proves to be a blip or the start of a larger problem remains to be seen, but Van Dijk is determined to keep the focus on unity rather than blame.
“We know the expectations,” he said. “We’ve set a high bar for ourselves, and we’ll fight to reach it again. That’s what leaders do — not just talk, but respond on the pitch.”
For now, Liverpool’s captain has made his point clear — he’s heard the criticism, but he’s more focused on the comeback.
