Wayne Rooney makes major admission after controversial Liverpool comments over Virgil van Dijk

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Former Manchester United and Everton striker Wayne Rooney has backtracked on criticism over Liverpool captain Virgil van DijkWayne Rooney admits he "went a bit too strong" with criticism of Virgil van Dijk after an awkward exchange live on television with the Liverpool captain. Rooney had claimed Van Dijk had "downed tools" after signing a new two-year deal with the club earlier this year given the Reds' poor run of form in defence of the record-equalling 20th championship they secured last season.The Liverpool skipper hit back at what he regarded "lazy" comments, and then later expanded on his response when speaking with Rooney on the Anfield pitch during a television interview after last Tuesday's Champions League win over Real Madrid.And the former Manchester United and Everton striker has now accepted he went too far in his criticism of the Holland international.READ MORE: Ibrahima Konate sent Real Madrid transfer message as Liverpool approach questionedREAD MORE: Liverpool midfielder drops major hint over swift return after summer transfer“My job now is to give my opinions, and I like to think I’m straight and honest with my opinions and how I feel," said Rooney."The one thing where I maybe went a bit too strong is where I said he’s downed tools since he signed his new contract – that’s a big thing to say, and maybe I was wrong on that."But from a performance level, from what we’ve seen from Van Dijk, I don’t think he’s been at that level this season, and I said I’m sure as captain he’d be speaking to players, taking them out for food, which he said he has done."Clearly if he’s felt he’s done that, if he had to do that, there’s something not right."Liverpool's 3-0 defeat at Manchester City on Sunday was their fifth in their last six Premier League games and leaves them down in eighth place, eight points behind runaway leaders Arsenal.And Rooney added: “As champions, you can’t lose four games in a row.

If you lose one game, there’s questions, and if you lose four in a row, there’s something not quite right."I think getting involved too much in the outside noise – that’s our job (as pundits), focus on your game."As a younger player, I’d be looking at Van Dijk and how he reacts to this – how is it going to help them? You have to get on with your game and speak internally.”The ex-England man, though, believes too much is being made of Florian Wirtz not being able to make an impact thus far following his £116million move from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer.And Rooney - who was speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, brought to you by Sky Bet - said: "I like Wirtz coming off the left, how he’s done the last couple of games."I know he hasn’t scored, but he has created a good number of chances which his team-mates haven’t taken.

I think he’ll be fine – players just take time to settle in. When that happens and you’re a new player and the money they’ve spent on him, and similar with Alexander Isak as well, there will be questions, but I think they’ll be fine.”