Anfield witnessed a fiery night on and off the pitch. Liverpool secured a narrow win over Real Madrid, but it was the post-match exchange that truly caught everyone’s attention.
After Alexis Mac Allister’s goal gave Liverpool back-to-back Champions League victories, the atmosphere was upbeat.
Fans even caught Alexis Mac Allister brutally mocking Trent Alexander-Arnold during his goal celebration as the former Liverpool star came back to Anfield since leaving for Real Madrid.
However, when Virgil van Dijk joined Amazon Prime’s punditry team for a live interview, things quickly turned tense.
The Dutch defender found himself sitting beside Wayne Rooney, who had recently criticised him and Mohamed Salah for what he described as poor body language after signing new contracts.
Moreover, Rooney had questioned whether the pair were still showing the same leadership and hunger that once brought silverware to Anfield. Rooney had earlier said (via The Sun):
“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.”
Therefore, it came as little surprise when Van Dijk decided to address those comments head-on. The Liverpool captain began calmly saying:
“I didn’t hear him last year. It doesn’t hurt me.
After that, the defender called Rooney a legend but was not happy with his crticisms. 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.”
Furthermore, Van Dijk made it clear that such opinions affect more than just headlines. He said:
“It’s easy to blame the older players. He knows as well as everyone else that we do it together and try to help each other to get out of this.”
Also, the Liverpool captain expressed frustration at the rise of exaggerated media narratives. Van Dijk said:
“There are so many platforms nowadays that everyone can say whatever they like and it gets blown up. Ex-players who played at the highest level had difficult moments as well.”
Rooney, meanwhile, tried to clarify his stance, insisting that scrutiny was part of being Premier League champions. Yet Van Dijk stood firm. Rooney said:
“The comment about signing my new deal and then saying to let it slide—I think that was a bit. But that is my personal opinion, so let’s move on.”
Thus, the moment ended on a respectful note as Van Dijk shook Rooney’s hand before leaving. Still, the exchange left viewers stunned.
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