Following Virgil Van Dijk’s reply to Wayne Rooney’s claim that the Liverpool captain has ‘downed tools,’ we looked at five times a Liverpool player, manager, or pundit has been involved in a war of words.
Van Dijk took exception to Rooney criticising his leadership and responsibility, before the two awkwardly stood side by side after Liverpool beat Real Madrid at Anfield with Rooney on punditry duty.
Rooney later stated he was too harsh in suggesting Van Dijk would down tools, however said: “‘My job now is to give my opinions, and I like to think I’m straight and honest with my opinions and how I feel,” on The Overlap Fan Debate.
The Dutchman isn’t the first to speak out about media opinions, with a list including legendary ex-reds that went into the media, as well as Jurgen Klopp confronting one of the biggest names in punditry.
@merseysportlive Five player and pundit clashes involving Liverpool players following Van Dijk and Rooney exchange. By Oliver Powell #vandijk #liverpoolfc #rooney
