Amid Liverpool's recent struggles, former Manchester United and Everton striker Wayne Rooney has once again weighed in on the performance of Liverpool's captain, Virgil van Dijk. This comes after Rooney initially questioned van Dijk's leadership abilities earlier in the season, sparking a response from the Liverpool defender.

The renewed criticism follows Liverpool's defeat at the hands of Manchester City. Rooney's pointed message to van Dijk consisted of just four words. While the exact phrasing wasn't specified in some reports, it's clear that Rooney is doubling down on his concerns regarding van Dijk's influence on the team.

Rooney had previously voiced his opinion on his podcast, "The Wayne Rooney Show," stating that both van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, despite signing new contracts, haven't effectively led the team this season. He emphasized the importance of body language, suggesting that negative body language from key players like van Dijk and Salah could negatively impact the entire team.

Van Dijk initially responded to Rooney's earlier criticism by calling it "lazy". He defended himself and his teammates, asserting that the team sticks together during difficult moments and that blaming senior players is an oversimplification. Van Dijk highlighted his efforts to support his teammates and maintain a positive environment despite external pressures.

The exchange between Rooney and van Dijk occurred after Liverpool's victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League. Van Dijk addressed the criticism directly, stating that the external "noise" was excessive, although he didn't explicitly mention Rooney by name.

Liverpool experienced a slump in form, losing six out of seven games between late September and late October, including defeats against Manchester United and Crystal Palace. This period of poor performance intensified the scrutiny on the team and its key players, including van Dijk.

Following Liverpool's win against Aston Villa, van Dijk noted how opinions had shifted since the start of their losing streak. He reiterated the importance of unity and focus within the team, emphasizing that winning games is the only controllable factor.

Despite previously admitting that his criticism of Liverpool was "wrong", Rooney seems to be standing firm on his assessment of van Dijk's leadership. The renewed criticism adds another layer to the ongoing debate surrounding Liverpool's performance and the role of their captain in navigating challenging times.