Virgil Van Dijk has brushed off criticism from Wayne Rooney, insisting he and his Liverpool teammates do not listen to outside noise.
Former Manchester United and Everton striker Rooney pointed the finger at Van Dijk for his role in Paris Saint-Germain’s goal on Tuesday night, calling the Liverpool defender ‘lazy’. It would prove to be a decisive moment as the French side progressed on penalties.
Van Dijk, 33, has been in outstanding form this term despite the uncertainty over his Liverpool future, with Arne Slot’s side looking to win the Carabao Cup this weekend. And with the Premier League title within his grasp, Van Dijk insists he pays no attention to criticism from outside of the club.
Responding to Rooney’s remarks, Van Dijk said: “Someone told me about this. I think at that particular moment I’m helping [Andy] Robertson, telling him to clear the outside, I take the inside. I’m even explaining now what I thought at that moment but if he thought it was lazy then he gave his opinion, that’s it.
“But listen, I think I said it to someone as well, there were so many challenges that were years ago for those players and obviously it’s a challenge for the players nowadays that you have to deal with opinions here and there and it gets blown up all the time.
“But I think, looking at what I see in the dressing room, I think the boys are doing well in terms of keeping their heads down and focusing on the task ahead. That’s the most important.
“Even in challenging times, you know, because no-one’s journey is smooth sailing, especially if you’re in the Premier League. If we reap the rewards at the end of the season then I’m sure Liverpool will be buzzing.”
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Van Dijk also anticipates news regarding his future before the season concludes, but he remains unsure about signing a new contract with the club. The Dutchman doesn’t want the uncertainty over his future to cause any unrest ahead of a crucial few months.
He stated: “There are multiple factors and as long as I am calm to you guys then there is no need to panic, whatever may happen in the future. If I was worried you would see me playing a little bit worried and that is not the case. Maybe I will run this fully down and then there is still no news, I don’t know. I don’t know at this stage and I said that the other day (after PSG game).
“But I don’t want to create any anxiety or anything like that, I just keep my head down and focus on hopefully winning the next 10 games and that is my full focus: to be there for the manager, the players, the fans. So let’s see what it brings and I am sure by the end of the season there will be news. But what kind of news I am not sure.”
