Van Dijk and Rooney share awkward interview after Liverpool’s win over Real Madrid
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and Wayne Rooney were reunited on the pitch for an awkward interview following Liverpool’s 1-0 victory over Real Madrid at Anfield, reports BritPanorama.
The encounter came days after Rooney publicly criticized Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah concerning their leadership during Liverpool’s challenging spell, which included six defeats in seven matches. Rooney labeled their body language as a “big concern.” Van Dijk responded by calling the remarks “lazy” after their recent win over Aston Villa.
The atmosphere remained tense as Van Dijk stepped into the post-match interview area on Tuesday night, with Rooney part of the analysis team a few feet away. Despite the pressure surrounding the squad, Van Dijk spoke pointedly about maintaining composure. “In a world of chaos, you have to try to stay calm and take the perspective of things,” he stated, reflecting on the ongoing challenges faced by the team.
Presenter Gabby Logan brought attention to the awkwardness. When she asked Van Dijk about addressing any criticisms, he focused on the need for perspective and maintaining diligence. “I think it is very important to put things in perspective, keep your head down to work and get out of the situation,” he said, emphasising the quality within the squad.
During the interview, Van Dijk addressed whether outside criticism affects the dressing room dynamics: “If you lose games as a Liverpool player, four or five in a row, it is fair criticism. But I think it is over the top at times. That is because we live in a world where there are so many platforms. So many people can say stuff and it will be picked up and made bigger.”
Rooney acknowledged the atmosphere, attempting to defuse the tension with humour, stating, “I am not saying anything any more. I think I have spurred them on and put them on a winning streak.” He maintained that his prior remarks were justified, highlighting the responsibility of leadership in difficult times.
In response, Van Dijk firmly countered: “I think if you watch games, I definitely take responsibility,” addressing the comment that he may have become complacent after signing a new deal. Liverpool’s victory, anchored by Alexis Mac Allister’s first-half header, was deemed well-deserved as they effectively limited Real Madrid’s threat.
Courtois’ performance for Madrid kept the scoreline from being more severe, while Van Dijk remained terse when asked about communication with former teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold. With two wins in quick succession, Liverpool now face Manchester City, a match that could potentially shift the narrative from crisis to resurgence.
