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Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk and Manchester United icon Wayne Rooney got involved in an awkward exchange live on air after the Red's Champions League win over Real Madrid.
Why Wayne Rooney slammed Virgil Van Dijk's body language?
The row began after Rooney, on his, Wayne Rooney Show last month, slammed the body language of Van Dijk and Liverpool teammate Mahomed Salah after a run of four back-to-back defeats in the Premier League.
Van Dijk responded after Liverpool's 2-0 win against Aston Villa last Saturday, accusing Rooney of 'lazy criticism' before the former Manchester United striker doubled down on his comments.
The pair came face-to-face for the first time since those comments on Tuesday, November 4, as Rooney was part of Amazon Prime's expert team in the post-match interview. When questioned if the criticism had been fair, Van Dijk said that outside criticism was "over the top" without directly hinting towards Rooney's comments.
"Of course if you lose four of five games in a row as a Liverpool player then that is a fair criticism," Van Dijk told Prime. "That’s absolutely normal in that sense. But I think it’s over the top at times as well, at that point. This is because we live in a world with so many platforms, so many people can say stuff and it will be picked up and made bigger.
"I think especially ex-players that played at the highest level, played at the top that dealt with difficult moments as well, to put things in perspective as well."
Rooney felt the Dutchman's response was aimed at hm and replied:
"I am not saying anything any more because I think I spurred them on and put them on a winning streak! I think what I've said was fair when you win the Premier League and then go on a run where you lose three or four games in a row, which you don't expect from Liverpool over the last few years.
"As Virgil is captain I think that is your opportunity to go and lead the players and that is what I was saying. That happens in football and I think the response has been great from Virgil and the team."
Virgil van Dijk however, disagreed and said:
"I think if you watch games then I definitely take the responsibility. I think the comment that I signed the new deal and I let it slide, I think that was a bit…but that’s my personal opinion and we move on."
Van Dijk responded to a few more questions and shook hands with Rooney before returning to the dressing room.
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