VIRGIL VAN DIJK called out Wayne Rooney on live TV after Liverpool’s win over Real Madrid.
Alexis Mac Allister scored the only goal of the game as the Reds made a statement victory in the Champions League at Anfield.
The result means it is back-to-back wins for Liverpool ahead of their Premier League clash against Manchester City.
It suggests the club have turned a corner after their horror run that saw them lose six out of seven games.
Van Dijk, 34, spoke to Amazon Prime after the game as he joined the punditry team which included Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney.
The defender suggested that some of the retired striker’s comments do get to some of his team-mates.
Rooney had claimed that the defender and Mohamed Salah have failed to lead the team after “signing their new deals”.
He previously said: “I think body language tells you a lot, and I think we’re seeing slightly different body language from the two of them.
“They are the top two players in that team and if their body language is not right, that affects everyone else.
“I might be wrong on this, but if I was a Liverpool fan or the manager, that would be a big concern for me.”
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However, the Dutchman insisted that Rooney’s opinions have come across as “lazy criticism“.
He said: “I didn’t hear him last year. It doesn’t hurt me.
“Just to come back to this particular player, obviously a legend, a big player of the game who inspired so many.
“I can say only positive things, but I feel that comment is just a bit of a lazy criticism.
“It’s easy to blame the older players but he knows as well as everyone else that we do it together and try to help each other to get out of this.
“There are so many platforms nowadays that everyone can say whatever they like and it gets blown up.
“It is over the top at times. I think it’s because we live in a world of so many platforms, so many people can say stuff, and it can be picked up.
“Ex-players who played at the highest level had difficult moments as well.
“I want to perform for the team, the club and everyone who supports us through thick and thin.”
Rooney then tried to defend his comments about Liverpool being subject to criticism.
He pointed that it is something that comes as Premier League champions when they go through a poor run of form.
But Van Dijk then pointed to Rooney’s comments about his efforts after signing his new contract at Anfield.
He added: “I think if you watch games, then I would definitely take the responsibility.
“I think the comment about signing my new deal and then saying to let it slide I think that was a bit.
“But that is my personal opinion so let’s move on.”
And the Liverpool star did seem to move on as he embraced Rooney before heading back to the changing rooms.
