Wayne Rooney risks Virgil van Dijk wrath after doubling down on Liverpool criticism

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Wayne Rooney has clearly not been deterred after being confronted by Virgil van Dijk a few weeks ago.The Reds have come under fire from the media at the start of the season, but it is understandable given how poor they have been.Most of Liverpool’s players have not looked themselves, with captain van Dijk one of those who has struggled in recent weeks.Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis. Rooney is one of the people who has been most heavily critical of the Dutchman, although any beef appeared to be squashed after they had it out live on air after the Champions League game against Real Madrid.However, the former Man United player has hit out at Liverpool again, and it is safe to say van Dijk may have a thing or two to say about it.Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty ImagesWayne Rooney questions Liverpool’s leaders againLiverpool have been a bit all over the place so far this season, with the defence one of the biggest issues.Van Dijk is the man that has to try and get them out of this rut too, with his leadership something that will be severely tested in the coming weeks.This is something Rooney has brought up too, with the Englishman saying that Liverpool could turn into Man United if they are not careful.Liverpool are a very good team and they’re going through a very difficult moment.

They’ve been going through a tough time all season really,” he said on Match of the Day.“Even at the beginning of the season, they won games, but they were struggling with performance.READ MORE: Liverpool look like they’ve finally had enough of Ibrahima Konate after new January revelation Should Liverpool sack Arne Slot? Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images “Throughout the season, it’s those leaders in that dressing room that have to pick the players up because if not then, we’ve seen over the last few years with Manchester United and last season with Tottenham, they can slip down the table.”Virgil van Dijk is the right man to lead Liverpool forwardIf there is anyone capable of getting Liverpool out of this situation, it is van Dijk, with the defender’s leadership skills more than enough.He has captained his country more times than anyone else and he has shown during his time at Anfield how influential he can be.On the pitch, he has not quite been himself, but he has had moments of brilliance, with the Real Madrid game in front of Rooney the perfect example of this.It is certainly a big moment in the season for the Reds, but with van Dijk wearing the armband, they might just get through it OK.