Wayne Rooney has urged Virgil van Dijk to ignore “exterior noise” and “focus in your sport” as the previous England worldwide continued his critique of the Liverpool captain following the membership’s current downturn in kind.
Liverpool suffered a 3-0 defeat to Manchester Metropolis on Sunday, marking their fifth loss in six Premier League fixtures. This poor run follows a quick respite of back-to-back victories in opposition to Aston Villa and Actual Madrid.
Rooney initially voiced issues final month, questioning Van Dijk’s dedication since signing a brand new contract.
This led to an uncomfortable on-air change between the 2 throughout Amazon Prime’s protection of Liverpool’s win over Actual Madrid final Tuesday, the place they addressed the state of affairs straight.
Whereas Rooney later conceded on his podcast, The Wayne Rooney Present, that he had been “a bit unfair” along with his preliminary remark, he has now elaborated on his stance.
Talking on the Overlap Fan Debate podcast, Rooney clarified his place: “My job now could be to offer my opinions. I wish to assume I try to be straight and trustworthy with my opinions on what I really feel and what I see.”
He added, relating to his earlier assertion: “I stated on my podcast the opposite day, the one factor the place I possibly went a bit too robust is the place I stated he’s possibly downed instruments since he signed a brand new contract – that’s a giant assertion to say, so possibly I used to be mistaken on that.”
Nonetheless, Rooney maintained his evaluation of the defender’s efficiency: “However from a efficiency stage, from what we’ve seen, Van Dijk, I don’t assume he’s been on the stage he has this season.”
He additionally touched upon management, stating: “I stated I’m positive as captain he’d be chatting with gamers, taking the crew out for meals, which he stated he has completed. Clearly if he’s felt he’s completed that, he’s had to do this, then there’s one thing not proper.”
Rooney burdened the significance of inner focus for the captain. “As champions, you’ll be able to’t lose 4 video games in a row. If you happen to lose one sport, there’s questions, and for those who lose 4 in a row, there’s one thing not proper,” he noticed.
He suggested Van Dijk: “I believe getting concerned an excessive amount of within the exterior noise – that’s our job. Focus in your sport, as a result of as a youthful participant I’d be Van Dijk and the way he reacts to this, how is that going to assist them? I simply assume it’s a must to get on along with your sport and communicate internally.”
The current loss to Metropolis leaves Liverpool in eighth place within the Premier League desk, eight factors adrift of leaders Arsenal heading into the worldwide break.
The membership beforehand endured a run of 4 consecutive defeats throughout all competitions in September and October.
