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Van Dijk rejects Rooney's 'lazy' leadership critique after Liverpool's turnaround
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has dismissed Wayne Rooney's claim that a lack of leadership caused the team's recent struggles, calling the criticism "lazy" and questioning why such remarks weren't made during their title-winning season last year.
The Reds, who dominated the Premier League under manager Arne Slot in 2024-25, have stumbled in the 2025-26 campaign, losing four consecutive league matches before a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa on Saturday halted their slide. The win left Liverpool third in the table, seven points adrift of leaders Arsenal.
'It's easy to blame others': Van Dijk's response
Speaking after the Villa match, Van Dijk addressed Rooney's comments-made following Liverpool's 1-0 defeat to Brentford-that he and teammate Mohamed Salah had "not really led that team this season."
"I didn't hear him last year. It doesn't hurt me. [Rooney] is a legend, a big player who inspired so many-I've got only positive things to say about him. But that comment? Lazy criticism."
"It's easy to blame others. He knows we do this together. When things go well, you don't hear that. Now we're in a tough spot, suddenly it's about leadership."
Virgil van Dijk, via external interview
Van Dijk acknowledged pundits' roles but insisted there were "no hard feelings," adding: "We deal with opinions. I don't take it personally."
Rooney stands by remarks, praises Van Dijk's legacy
In his latest podcast, Rooney-now a pundit-reaffirmed his stance while praising Van Dijk's career. "I've got full respect for Virgil. He's been one of the best defenders in the world for five years," Rooney said. "But my job is to give honest opinions. If you ask him or Slot, he'll admit he hasn't been at his peak this season. That's what I said, and I stand by it."
Slot's job security and Liverpool's pivotal week
Amid reports of mounting pressure on Slot, Van Dijk backed the manager, stating: "We don't make rash decisions at this club. We believe we can turn this around-humility and hard work are key."
Liverpool now face a defining stretch: a Champions League clash against Real Madrid on Tuesday, followed by a Premier League trip to Manchester City on Sunday. Salah's 250th goal for the club, scored against Villa, offered a rare bright spot as the team seeks consistency.
Key context: Liverpool's season in numbers
- 2024-25: Premier League champions under Slot in his debut season.
- 2025-26 start: Five wins in their first five league games, followed by four straight defeats.
- Current standing: 3rd place, seven points behind Arsenal.
- Salah's milestone: 250th Liverpool goal, becoming the club's all-time top scorer in the Premier League era.
