Wayne Rooney has given his latest take on Virgil van Dijk’s form following their feud earlier in the season
Mark Whiley Sports Reporter
17:34, 12 Feb 2026
Wayne Rooney has taken another shot at Virgil van Dijk(Image: Image Photo Agency, Getty Images)
Wayne Rooney has again criticised Virgil van Dijk, insisting the defender’s performances have played a part in Liverpool’s disappointing title defence. Earlier in the season, Van Dijk hit back at the Manchester United striker-turned-pundit’s assessment of his form for the Reds.
In November, the duo were involved in an awkward exchange on live TV after Liverpool’s Champions League victory against Real Madrid. Van Dijk branded the criticism directed at him as “over the top” while Rooney refused to back down.
Van Dijk has subsequently told fellow pundit Gary Neville on Sky Sports that “ex-top players have a responsibility to the new generation” and should consider young players’ mental wellbeing in the age of social media.
READ MORE: Virgil van Dijk speaks out on Ibrahima Konate Liverpool contract situation – ‘Can only do so much’READ MORE: National media make same Florian Wirtz point after Liverpool win – ‘Boy turning into a man’
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When informed of those remarks during his appearance on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast with Sam Allardyce, Rooney responded: “I’ve been pulled up a few times because I like to speak about what I see. If a player is doing well or not doing well, you give your opinion, that’s the job.
“I think Virgil and other top players need to remember that we were once players too. This is not something new. It happens and I’m sure he’ll realise that when he stops playing.”
Rooney then referenced his own experiences with pundits and the media, insisting he faced harsher scrutiny than the Dutchman. He said: “Virgil van Dijk will know himself if he’s had a good game or a bad game.
Van Dijk and Rooney clashed on live TV last year(Image: Amazon Prime Video)
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“No one’s having personal attacks on players, it’s an opinion, what you see. I’ve been through that probably a lot more than Virgil van Dijk has been through it. That’s part of football.
“Players now get the benefit of all the commercial things they do and they earn a lot of money from doing that. They need to understand that pundits have opinions. Sometimes, pundits can go over the top. But as a player, you’re judged on performances.”
He then delivered another swipe at Van Dijk’s performances this season. Following praise for his display in the loss to Manchester City, he added: “But for many games this season, he hasn’t been at his level.
Rooney spoke about Van Dijk on Sam Allardyce’s podcast(Image: No Tippy Tappy Football/YouTube)
“Whether that’s because he’s getting a little bit older, he’s played a lot of games. He’s been one of the best centre-backs in the world in recent seasons but he hasn’t had the best of seasons, which is shown by Liverpool’s position in the table.”
Liverpool’s title defence has proved underwhelming, particularly after last summer’s recruitment drive. Arne Slot’s team are sixth in table and are fighting to secure Champions League via league position.
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