Liverpool skipper Van Dijk hits back at Wayne Rooney's comments as he addresses Manchester United icon in tense meeting on live TV

Liverpool captian Virgil van Dijk and Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney engaged in an awkward exchange live on air following the Reds' 1-0 Champions League victory over Real Madrid.

The row started after Rooney, on his Wayne Rooney Show last month, criticized the body language of Van Dijk and Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah after a run of four consecutive Premier League defeats.

Van Dijk responded after Liverpool's 2-0 win against Aston Villa last Saturday, accusing Rooney of 'lazy criticism' before the former Manchester United forward doubled down on his comments.

The pair met face-to-face for the first time since those remarks on Tuesday, November 4, as Rooney was part of Amazon Prime's punditry team in the post-match interview. When asked if the criticism had been fair, Van Dijk said that outside noise was sometimes 'over the top' without directly referencing Rooney's comments.

"Of course if you lose four of five games in a row as a Liverpool player then that is a fair criticism," Van Dijk told Prime. "That’s absolutely normal in that sense. But I think it’s over the top at times as well, at that point. This is because we live in a world with so many platforms, so many people can say stuff and it will be picked up and made bigger.

"I think especially ex-players that played at the highest level, played at the top that dealt with difficult moments as well, to put things in perspective as well."

Rooney felt the Dutchman's response was indirectly aimed at him and replied:

"I am not saying anything any more because I think I spurred them on and put them on a winning streak! I think what I've said was fair when you win the Premier League and then go on a run where you lose three or four games in a row, which you don't expect from Liverpool over the last few years.

"As Virgil is captain I think that is your opportunity to go and lead the players and that is what I was saying. That happens in football and I think the response has been great from Virgil and the team."

Van Dijk, however, disagreed and said:

"I think if you watch games then I definitely take the responsibility. I think the comment that I signed the new deal and I let it slide, I think that was a bit…but that’s my personal opinion and we move on."

Van Dijk responded to a few more questions and shook hands with Rooney before returning to the dressing room.

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney clarified his stance on Liverpool's Van Dijk

After Van Dijk left the scene, Rooney made it clear that he wasn't trying to speak badly about the Liverpool skipper, saying that the defender's recent performances had been below his usual standards.

Rooney continued:

"What I was trying to say is that we know the standards he’s set. When you win the Premier League the hardest thing then is to go on and do it again. He’ll tell you himself I don’t think he’s been at his best this season but over the last couple of games he’s getting back to that. When he’s at his best he’s one of the best in the world."

Next up for Van Dijk and Liverpool is a Premier League meeting with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, November 9.