Rio Ferdinand backs Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk after Wayne Rooney’s criticism | OneFootball

Defender Virgil van Dijk’s poor form has contributed to Liverpool’s underwhelming start to the season.

The Reds have conceded 22 goals and kept just three clean sheets across all competitions, underscoring their defensive struggles this term.

Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney claimed Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah had not ‘really led that team this season‘.

However, the Dutchman responded by calling it ‘lazy criticism’. Rooney’s former teammate Rio Ferdinand has given his backing to the Liverpool captain.

He told Rio Ferdinand Presents: “I absolutely love that Virgil van Dijk is coming out to say, ‘I ain’t having what people are saying – I don’t agree with that.

“I think it’s brilliant – this is what you need; you need players of character.

“I like the fact that he’s prickly – he sees it, reads it, hears it, and says, ‘I’m not having that, and I’m going to call it out.’”

Van Dijk played a vital role as Liverpool returned to winning ways in the Premier League, beating Aston Villa 2-0 on Saturday.

Manager Arne Slot will now be hoping that the veteran centre-back builds on that momentum in their Champions League clash with Real Madrid.

Van Dijk will need to be at his best to keep Kylian Mbappe quiet in the clash.