Spherical three within the Virgil van Dijk vs Wayne Rooney phrase battle on Tuesday night time, and the Dutchman is now forward on each choose’s card. After Liverpool noticed out a within the Champions League, their captain had the chance to ram Rooney’s essential phrases additional down his throat, following a well mannered however on the weekend.
Rooney was on punditry obligation for Prime Video, pitchside at Anfield and halfway by means of the post-match evaluation when the digicam shot switched to Van Dijk, strolling down the touchline and searching far happier than footballers normally do forward of interviews. Confronted with a five-strong crew of Gabby Logan, Robbie Fowler, Rooney, Theo Walcott and Daniel Sturridge, Van Dijk inserted himself in between Fowler and Rooney, seemingly as near Rooney as doable.
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There have been agency handshakes with everybody, and a full hug for former team-mate Sturridge. The embrace with Rooney was predictably cooler. “I believe there was plenty of power, plenty of arduous work put into the efficiency in the present day,” mentioned Van Dijk. “They’d gained 14 within the final 15, they’ve plenty of high quality. Everyone knows their strengths, we all know how they’ll punish you… so we needed to be spot on in every thing we do.”
Then, when talking in regards to the response to ’s poor run earlier than victory in opposition to Aston Villa on Saturday, Van Dijk mentioned: “In a world of chaos you must try to keep calm. I believe at instances the noise was loads.”
“You anyone round right here specifically?” requested Logan, referring after all to Rooney’s contribution to the aforementioned noise. For many who have fallen behind of their podcast consumption, Rooney used his final week to say: “Van Dijk and [Mohamed] Salah, clearly they’ve signed new offers and no matter, however I don’t assume they’ve actually led that crew this season. I believe physique language tells you a large number and I believe we’re seeing barely totally different physique language from the 2 of them.”
Following the Villa victory, Van Dijk mentioned he was not affected by Rooney’s criticism, didn’t take it personally and was cautious to reward the previous Everton striker’s achievements. Additionally: “I might say it’s a little bit of a lazy criticism. That’s my private opinion. It’s simple accountable the opposite gamers however he is aware of clearly in addition to everybody else we do it collectively making an attempt to assist each considered one of us to attempt to get out of this and, like I mentioned as properly, final yr when issues go properly you don’t hear that in any respect. It’s what it’s.”
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Rooney appeared to lean into the confrontation
So Tuesday night time’s in-person assembly had the potential to show heated, however Van Dijk is simply too stylish and Rooney too hardy for any public dummy-spitting. Van Dijk preached perspective, and admitted criticism of Liverpool’s dropping run was justified however accurately recognized the best way our media panorama amplifies any mildly spicy remark. “It’s excessive at instances. We stay in a world with so many platforms and so many individuals that may say stuff which will probably be picked up and made larger than what it’s.”
Rooney appeared to lean into the confrontation and pitched his response completely, not doubling down nor determined and faux-matey: “I’m not saying something no extra as a result of I believe I’ve spurred them on.” However then “I believe what I mentioned was honest.”
Van Dijk appeared amused, with a light hint of furious: “I believe in the event you would watch video games I’ll positively take duty. I believe the remark that I’ve signed my new deal and let it slide I believe that was a bit… [he tailed off]. However that’s my private opinion, and we transfer on.”
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Breaking information: Unexpectedly grown-up alternate of soccer opinions! By the tip, Rooney’s goodbye from Van Dijk prolonged to a conciliatory again slap alongside together with his handshake. “I believe that’s all good, I believe that’s a truce there, he’ll most likely come in your podcast now,” mentioned Logan.
A wonderful dry line from the host, however most likely saying the quiet half loud. All of this makes for terrific gasoline for the hungry soccer content material machine. It was nonetheless cheering to see footballers of such stature disagreeing in a forthright however respectful manner.
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