WAYNE ROONEY says he was wrong to claim Virgil van Dijk had downed tools since signing a new Liverpool deal – after the Dutchman called him out on live TV.
Rooney and the Reds skipper had an awkward encounter after Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League last week.
The Dutchman, 34, wasn’t happy with Rooney saying he and Mohamed Salah had showed poor body language since extending their Anfield contracts earlier this year and called it “lazy criticism”.
Roo was asked about the exchange by Jamie Carragher while appearing on The Overlap Fan Debate, via SkyBet, and insisted he had no problem with the centre-back being upfront with him.
The ex-England striker said: “I was happy he came over. Obviously my job now is to give my opinion.
“I like to think I try and be straight and honest with my opinions on what I see and what I feel.
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“The one thing I went a bit too strong with is when I said he had maybe downed tools since he signed a new contract. That’s a big statement to say and maybe I was wrong on that.”
Manchester United legend Rooney said of VVD and Salah at the time: “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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Van Dijk took issue with those comments while being interviewed by TNT Sports after their win over Real – in which Rooney was a pundit.
He said: “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.”
Van Dijk has started all 11 of Liverpool’s Premier League games this season but has struggled on the pitch compared to his dominant performances from their title-winning 2024-25 campaign.
He has been involved in some worrying results, including a 3-0 loss to Man City last time out and 3-2 defeat by Brentford.
Rooney reiterated that Van Dijk’s displays had not been up to scratch this season as he urged him to focus on Liverpool’s games rather than let pundits’ comments affect him.
Roo continued: “From a performance level, he’s not been at the level he has this season.
“I’m sure, as captain, he’ll be speaking to players and taking them out for food or whatever as he says he has done. If he’s had to do that then something’s not right.
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“As champions, you can’t lose four games in a row. You can lose one game and there’ll be questions. If you lose four in a row, there’s something not right.
“There’s people who talk and you take someone’s opinion more serious than others, but go and do your talking on the pitch.”
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