On his podcast, Rooney criticised Liverpool’s senior figures, saying Van Dijk and Salah were lacking in leadership and their body language wasn’t right as the club hit a rough patch.
He pointed specifically to the fact both signed new contracts yet, in his view, hadn’t stepped up as those in key roles should.

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Van Dijk’s Response

Van Dijk, speaking after his side’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa, dismissed the comments as “lazy criticism”. He said:

> “It doesn’t hurt me, to be honest… that comment is just… a bit of a lazy criticism.”
He acknowledged Rooney’s status as a legend, but emphasised that leadership isn’t just about two people—it’s a collective job.
Van Dijk also made a key point: when things were going well, there was silence around leadership:
“Last year we didn’t hear anything about this… when things were going well.”

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The Bigger Picture

Liverpool were coming off a disturbing run: six losses in seven games in all competitions, before the win over Villa.

With Van Dijk and Salah leading a club that’s under increasing pressure, every comment from former greats echoes louder.

Van Dijk maintained the focus must remain on the team: unity, work ethic, resilience. He said some criticism “outside noise” can affect players and the group.

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Why This Matters for Your Blog

This isn’t just a spat between former stars and current players. It’s a window into:

How leadership is scrutinised when a top club falters.

The changing dynamics for senior players again expected to deliver—in contracts, form and example.

Media voices (Rooney) vs. on-field voices (Van Dijk) and the clash of interpretation vs. reality.

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Final Word

Van Dijk may have called it lazy, but the situation is anything but. The pressure cooker around senior players at top clubs is real—and when results dip, voices like Rooney’s get louder and replies like Van Dijk’s become pivotal. For Liverpool, it’s a reminder: leadership isn’t claimed, it’s proven, game by game. ⏳