Liverpool
Van Dijk Confronts Rooney After Champions League Night
Van Dijk faced Wayne Rooney on air after Liverpool’s Champions League win and rebutted his critique.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk addressed Wayne Rooney’s public criticism face to face after Tuesday night’s match. The meeting followed a composed 1–0 Champions League win over Real Madrid, Liverpool’s second in succession, and came while Van Dijk was appearing among Amazon Prime Video’s pundits alongside the retired England international.
Rooney had earlier recorded the latest episode of his podcast from his spare room and vowed to “stick by” his comments that suggested Van Dijk’s form had dipped following the new two-year deal he signed last season. The pair were brought together on air and the exchange was calm but direct.
“I think if you would watch games then I would definitely take responsibility,” the 34-year-old began. “I think the comment that I signed my new deal and then that’s it, I’d let it slide, I think that was a bit…” he said, trailing off, “but that’s my personal opinion and we move on.”
Much of Van Dijk’s appearance was measured. “In a world of chaos you have to try and stay calm. I think at times the noise was a lot,” he said, and added: “It is over the top at times.” He went on to warn about the amplification of criticism, saying, “We live in a world with so many platforms and so many people that can say stuff which will be picked up and made bigger than what it is. Ex-players that played at the highest level dealt with difficult moments as well to put it into perspective.”
Rooney smiled through the interview and conceded some restraint. “I’m not saying anything no more because I think I’ve spurred them on,” he laughed. He then stood by his analysis while acknowledging the response from the team: “No, I think what I’ve said is fair. When you win the Premier League and you go on a run where you lose three-four games in a row, that you don’t expect from Liverpool over the last few years and then Virgil, as you were the captain, I think that’s your opportunity to go and lead the players, and that’s what I’m saying. I think that happens in football and I think the response has been great from Virgil, from the team.”
The exchange ended with handshakes and a light note from host Gabby Logan: “I think that’s all good, I think that’s a truce there, he’ll probably come on your podcast now.” Rooney reflected after Van Dijk left: “What’s really refreshing is he didn’t have to come up here,” and added, “He’s come up here and faced it. It’s obviously a lot easier when you win.”
Liverpool
Slot and Alonso: Wirtz Needs Time to Adjust After Slow Liverpool Start
Slot and Alonso insist Florian Wirtz will adapt; he has zero goals, three assists in 14 games. soon.
Florian Wirtz has endured a slow opening period at Liverpool, and both Arne Slot and Xabi Alonso have responded by urging patience. The 22-year-old has zero goals and just three assists through 14 appearances for Liverpool and is still seeking his first Premier League goal contribution.
Slot offered a clear defence of his high-profile signing ahead of Liverpool’s meeting with Real Madrid. “I’ve said this quite a lot, not as an excuse but just how it is; many times we have to play three games in seven days with only two days’ rest in between. For a player who comes from a different league, which is a very good league by the way, nine out of 10 people would agree the Premier League is a bit more intense in all the games.” He added perspective on Wirtz’s early performances: “For me, he brought exactly what we expected, a player who created a lot for the team. He will have his goals but I don’t think it comes as a surprise to anyone that if you’re 22 or 23 and come to a different league that you might need some time to adjust to that intensity if you play every three days,” Slot said.
Slot also drew a comparison with how long it took Ryan Gravenberch to adjust to the intensity of the English top flight before becoming a key figure in Liverpool’s 2024–25 title-winning campaign.
Alonso, who helped develop Wirtz at Bayer Leverkusen, echoed the call for time and confidence. “I have no doubts. It is just a matter of time. It is a big change for him to come to Liverpool after so many years in Germany, he’s been there all his life.
“He is a really special player. He has quality and personality and he’s competitive. It has happened with great players in the Premier League before and I’ve no doubts with Flo.
“He is very special and probably one of the reasons I’m here now so I’m very grateful to Flo. Hopefully not [against Real Madrid] but I’ve no doubt he will show his quality and class,” Alonso finished.
Wirtz arrived from Bayer Leverkusen, where he spent his entire career and helped that club to its first-ever league title in 2023–24. Both coaches emphasised adaptation to Premier League intensity as the central factor in his early form.
Liverpool
Alexander‑Arnold Faces Anfield Return with Gratitude and Expectation
Alexander-Arnold accepts Anfield reception after move to Real Madrid and vows to stay thankful ever.
Trent Alexander‑Arnold has made peace with the mixed reception he expects when Real Madrid visit Anfield in the Champions League on Tuesday.
After 354 appearances, 92 assists and eight trophies for Liverpool, including the club’s first two Premier League titles, Alexander‑Arnold left Merseyside when his contract expired in June. “I need a change,” he explained in May once it had been announced that he would not sign an extension to a contract which expired in June, “a new challenge for me as a player and as a person.”
The decision provoked a strong reaction. Posters appeared across Merseyside questioning his loyalty, and on his first appearance for Liverpool after announcing his departure he was booed by large sections of Anfield. Many fans were particularly unhappy that he ran down his contract before joining Real Madrid, a club some Liverpool supporters view as a European rival.
Even as current boss Arne Slot declined to single out supporters, the crowd’s response was criticised by several Liverpool players and Jürgen Klopp. Liverpool later gave Alexander‑Arnold a warm send‑off as they celebrated the top‑flight title in May.
Alexander‑Arnold has been candid about his feelings ahead of the return. “Whatever way I’m received, is the decision of the fans,” he told Amazon Prime Video. “I’ll always love the club, I’ll always be a fan of the club. I’ll always be thankful for the opportunities and the things that we achieved together… they’ll live with me forever. No matter what, my feeling won’t change towards Liverpool. I’ve got memories there that will last me a lifetime.”
His first months in Madrid were disrupted by injury but he is back in contention for the group‑stage fixture. He has not featured since damaging his hamstring on Sept. 16 and is unlikely to start, but could be introduced from the bench. If he does score, it would be only the third Champions League goal of his career; “If I was to score, then no I wouldn’t celebrate to be honest,” he revealed.
Reflecting on the fixture draw, he conceded: “When I made the decision to move on, it was probably destined that at some point being here I’d play against Liverpool,” Alexander‑Arnold wryly conceded. He also reached out to a number of his former teammates after the August announcement of the tie.
Liverpool
Van Dijk and Rooney Clash Publicly as Liverpool Defend Leadership
A public back-and-forth between Virgil van Dijk and Wayne Rooney follows criticism after Liverpool’s poor run.
The long-standing rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester United has spilled into the public sphere with a forthright exchange between Virgil van Dijk and Wayne Rooney. The disagreement began after an underwhelming 3–2 defeat to Brentford, when voices inside Liverpool’s squad and external pundits criticised the champions.
Rooney, an ex-Everton academy graduate and former England captain, questioned the influence of Liverpool’s senior stars on and off the pitch. “They’ve signed new deals but I don’t think they’ve really led that team this season,” Rooney claimed. “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.
“I might be wrong on this, but if I was a Liverpool fan or the manager, that would be a big concern for me.”
Van Dijk has been publicly stung by those remarks. After watching from the stands as Liverpool lost their fifth successive domestic fixture against Crystal Palace last Wednesday, he had little opportunity to respond immediately. A win over Aston Villa on Saturday provided a platform for a fuller reply.
Having initially called for calm and pushing back against what he described as “ridiculous takes,” Van Dijk singled out Rooney by name. “I didn’t hear him last year,” the Premier League champion snapped. “No, it doesn’t hurt me to be honest. 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… I would say it’s a bit of a lazy criticism.
“That’s my personal opinion. It’s easy to blame the older players but he knows obviously as well as everyone else we do it together trying to help each and every one of us to try to get out of this and, like I said as well, last year when things go well you don’t hear that at all.”
Van Dijk also added: “There’s no hard feelings.”
Rooney remained firm. “My job now as a pundit is to give my opinions on what I feel,” he told his own podcast from a dimly lit trophy room. “I’m sure if you ask him or Arne Slot, he probably hasn’t been as good as he has been over the last few years. That was my comment which I stick by.”
