Rooney 'sticks by' Van Dijk 'lazy' criticism

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Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has responded strongly to criticism from former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney, who claimed that Liverpool have lacked leadership this season, particularly pointing to Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah's body language. Van Dijk dismissed Rooney's comments as "lazy criticism," arguing that such remarks are only made when things go wrong for a team, not when they are successful. He noted that he did not hear similar criticism during Liverpool's title-winning campaign last year.

Van Dijk emphasized that leadership is a collective effort and not just about individual performances. He stated that he does not take the criticism personally and has nothing but respect for Rooney's legacy as a player. However, he believes that blaming individuals is an easy way out and does not reflect the reality of how teams function, especially during difficult periods. Van Dijk reiterated his commitment to the team, saying he wants to perform for the club and his teammates, not just for himself.

Despite the public exchange, Van Dijk made it clear that there are no hard feelings and that everyone is entitled to their opinion. He stressed the importance of unity, focus, and hard work as the way for Liverpool to overcome their current slump. Rooney, for his part, has stood by his original comments, maintaining his view that Liverpool's leadership has been lacking this season. The debate highlights the ongoing scrutiny faced by top players and captains during challenging times, as well as the differing perspectives between former players turned pundits and current team leaders.