‘Focus on your game’ – Wayne Rooney keeps up Virgil van Dijk criticism

Wayne Rooney has advised Virgil van Dijk not to concern himself with “outside noise” as he continued his criticism of the Liverpool captain.

Arne Slot’s side were beaten 3-0 by Manchester City on Saturday, their fifth defeat in six Premier League games, with the loss following back-to-back wins over Aston Villa and Real Madrid.

Rooney criticised Van Dijk last month, questioning his commitment since signing a new contract, and the pair were involved in an awkward exchange as they addressed the situation face-to-face during Amazon Prime’s coverage of the Reds’ victory against Real Madrid last Tuesday.

Former England and Manchester United striker Rooney later stated on an episode of The Wayne Rooney Show that he had been “a bit unfair” with his comment.

Speaking about Van Dijk on the Overlap Fan Debate podcast, Rooney said: “My job now is to give my opinions. I like to think I try and be straight and honest with my opinions on what I feel and what I see.

“I said on my podcast the other day, the one thing where I maybe went a bit too strong is where I said he’s maybe downed tools since he signed a new contract – that’s a big statement to say, so maybe I was wrong on that.

“But from a performance level, from what we’ve seen, Van Dijk, I don’t think he’s been at the level he has this season.

“I said I’m sure as captain he’d be speaking to players, taking the team out for food, which he said he has done. Clearly if he’s felt he’s done that, he’s had to do that, then there’s something not right.

“As champions, you can’t lose four games in a row. If you lose one game, there’s questions, and if you lose four in a row, there’s something not right.

“I think getting involved too much in the outside noise – that’s our job. Focus on your game, because as a younger player I’d be looking at Van Dijk and how he reacts to this, how is that going to help them? I just think you have to get on with your game and speak internally.”

The defeat to City left Liverpool, who lost four straight games in all competitions in September and October, in eighth place in the table, eight points behind leaders Arsenal going into the international break.