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Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has responded to Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk's reply to his recent criticism. Rooney had previously slammed the Dutch defender's body language following the 3-2 defeat to Brentford at the end of last month.
Van Dijk brushed aside Rooney's comments after the Reds' 2-0 win over Aston Villa, insisting that he 'didn't hear him last year'. For the record, the Merseyside club won the Premier League last season.
The Englishman, however, hasn't taken Van Dijk's remarks to heart and has now responded to his comments. Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, Rooney heaped praise on the Liverpool skipper, but insisted that he hasn't been at his best this season.
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"Van Dijk, similar to Mo Salah, over the last five years, he's been one of if not the best defender in the world, and last year it was hard to say anything bad because he was that good,” said Rooney.
He continued:
“I'm sure he'd come out and say he probably hasn't been as best this season if he's honest with himself, and as captain, your job if things aren't going right is to speak to your teammates, call meetings with your teammates. And that's really what I was saying as a captain, as a leader, I'm sure he will have been doing that."
He concluded:
“I've got full respect for Virgil van Dijk, I think he's a fantastic player. My job now as a pundit is to give my opinions on what I feel. I'm sure if you ask him or you ask Arne Slot, he probably hasn't been as good as he has been over the last few years and that was my comment.”
Liverpool are third in the Premier League after 10 games this season, seven points behind leaders Arsenal.
Have Liverpool suffered a setback in their pursuit of Dayot Upamecano?
Liverpool's pursuit of Dayot Upamecano could end in a whimper. The Reds are laying down succession plans for Virgil van Dijk, who is already on the wrong side of 30.
Upamecano is regarded as one of the finest defenders in Europe, but his contract with Bayern Munich expires at the end of the season. The Merseyside club are reportedly among the 27-year-old's suitors.
However, speaking recently to Sky Germany, as cited by Liverpool Echo, Bayern's director Max Eberl insisted they want Upamecano to stay.
“Upa has developed into one of the best centre-backs in the world. We are working and making sure we do everything we can to make Dayot Upamecano sign a new contract," said Eberl.
Liverpool were in talks to sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi this summer, but the move collapsed in the eleventh hour. The Englishman's contract, interestingly, expires in just over six months, so the Reds could return for him next summer.
