Liverpool's Dutch defender has dismissed criticism from the Manchester United icon as "lazy" following the Reds' return to winning form at Anfield on Saturday evening.
The Merseyside club's captain responded forcefully to the former England striker's recent assessment of his leadership qualities during the team's challenging spell.
Van Dijk's comments arrived after the defending champions secured a crucial 2-0 triumph against Aston Villa, halting a dismal sequence of four consecutive league defeats.
The centre-back particularly emphasised that such critiques were notably absent during the previous campaign when he guided the club to Premier League glory.
Virgil van Dijk hit back at Wayne Rooney's comments after he criticised their leadership skills
|REUTERS/BBC
"I didn't hear him last year," Van Dijk stated, highlighting the timing of the pundit's remarks whilst maintaining he harboured no personal animosity towards the Old Trafford legend.
The former England captain had specifically targeted Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah following the recent 3-2 defeat at Brentford, questioning their influence within the squad.
Rooney suggested the pair had failed to provide adequate guidance this campaign, linking their performances to recently signed lucrative contracts.
"Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, they've signed new deals but I don't think they have really led the team this season," the pundit had declared.
Van Dijk's riposte proved particularly pointed, given Rooney had previously described the Dutchman's defending as "lazy" during Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League victory at Anfield last March.
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Liverpool ended their losing streak with a 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday
|REUTERS
The Liverpool skipper acknowledged Rooney's legendary status whilst firmly rejecting the assessment.
"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," he explained.
The Netherlands international elaborated on his approach to captaincy, emphasising his commitment to the team's welfare above personal considerations.
"I know I'm the captain, I know that if we have not the best results or not great performances, then myself and the manager will definitely always be questioned. That's part and parcel," he acknowledged.
Van Dijk stressed his dedication to collective success rather than individual glory.
"I want to perform, not for myself, but for the team, for the club. That's what I've been doing for all those years," he insisted.
The defender outlined his philosophy during challenging periods, explaining how he prioritises supporting his colleagues.
"When there are difficult moments, I try to help my team-mates. I try to put them in front of me and want to make them perform as in the best possible shape," he revealed.
Virgil van Dijk called Wayne Rooney's criticism 'lazy'
|REUTERS
The 33-year-old addressed the modern media landscape, noting the abundance of platforms where opinions proliferate unchecked.
"There are so many platforms nowadays that everyone can say whatever they like and it gets blown up," he observed, dismissing what he termed "ridiculous takes" about Liverpool's recent struggles.
Despite ending their poor sequence of results, Van Dijk cautioned against premature celebrations ahead of Tuesday's Champions League encounter with Real Madrid.
"It was just a win and now we move on. We know there's still a lot of work to do," he stated pragmatically.
The Dutch international emphasised the squad's internal unity and determination to overcome their difficulties collectively.
"We have to stick together - focus on the task ahead, winning games. That's the only thing we can control," he concluded.