Liverpool FC captain Virgil Van Dijk has slammed football legend Wayne Rooney over his criticism towards him as the Reds endure an uneven run in the 2025-2026 season after winning the English Premier League title last season.

On his Wayne Rooney Show on the BBC, the Man United icon stated that Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah’s body language was “not right” amid Liverpool winning just twice in seven games in all competitions.

Speaking after Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa, the Dutch defender hit back at Rooney by tagging the former Everton player’s criticism as a lazy one.

“I didn’t hear him last year. I feel like that comment is just I would say a bit of a lazy criticism. Like I said as well last year when things go well, you don’t hear that at all. So it is what it is. [Pundits] have to do their job as well.

“So it is what it is… There’s no hard feelings by the way. I don’t take it personal whatsoever” Van Dijk said according to ESPN.

After picking up a much needed win over Villa, Liverpool take on Real Madrid on in the UEFA Champions League on November 4 at 20:00 GMT and Manchester City on November 9 at 16:30 GMT.