Rooney ‘bares his teeth’ at Van Dijk as body language expert weighs into row

Virgil van Dijk confronted Wayne Rooney over the ex-Manchester United striker’s recent comments about Liverpool, with an expert analysing the players’ body language

Virgil van Dijk intensified his feud with Wayne Rooney by confronting the Manchester United legend during a live television broadcast. The Liverpool captain, who over the weekend dismissed Rooney’s “lazy” criticism of the Reds, joined the former striker on Amazon Prime’s post-match show after Liverpool’s 1-0 triumph over Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.

Earlier, Rooney had claimed the Reds’ recent struggles were caused by a lack of leadership, seemingly putting much of the responsibility on Van Dijk. The Dutch defender, however, dismissed the remarks as “ridiculous.”

On Tuesday, he reiterated his stance, facing Rooney in a tense, but respectful, on-air exchange by the pitch. Body language analyst Judi James noted that Rooney appeared “nervous” and even flinched when Van Dijk indirectly called him out.

“There’s some nervous-looking wry smiling from Rooney as Virgil is speaking first and the side-eye and thin grins from Rooney form announcement gestures to let everyone know he wants to interject,” she told the Liverpool Echo.

“When Virgil uses the phrase ‘especially ex-players that played at the highest level’ Rooney bares his upper teeth in what looks like both a wince and a chuckle or smile of acknowledgement.”

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James added: “When Virgil comes back with his comments [later] we can see Rooney almost physically reel away as he laughs, as though suffering a virtual, verbal ‘punch’.”

She also observed that Van Dijk seemed uneasy, avoiding eye contact and showing little emotion. “When Rooney does speak, there is a lack of eye contact from Virgil as he looks down, appearing to wish to mask his thoughts and feelings,” she said. “When he laughs at a comment from Rooney he drops his head to hide his face in a cut-off gesture.

“When Virgil does bring his head up there is still no eye contact apart from a quick glance and his facial expression suddenly looks more sombre, plus he performs a tongue-poke that can suggest rejection. Their one moment of mutual eye contact is a quick glance that looks tense rather than amused.”

Despite the awkwardness, the meeting ended respectfully, with both men sharing a brief hug. Van Dijk, however, reaffirmed his earlier point.

“I think at times the noise was a lot,” Van Dijk said with a smirk. Gabby Logan asked: “You looking at anybody round here in particular?”

“No, no not all but listen I think it is very important to put things in perspective, keep your head down and work and get out the situation because the quality we have, that is not the issue. It is about keep working and keep going.

“I think all of you know here you are dealing with a squad of 25 players, a lot of young players and a couple of older players like myself and everyone lives a different life. I can say for me personally it doesn’t affect me but as a captain I am dealing with players who may be affected about it.”

When questioned about the fairness of the criticism, Van Dijk stated: “I think it is over the top at times as well at that point, but that is because we live in a world with so many platforms and so many people can say stuff, it will be picked up and made bigger. I think it is good that ex-players who played at the highest level who dealt with difficult moments as well puts a lot in perspective.”

Rooney then had a chance to reply. “I am not saying anything any more because I think I spurred them on and put them on a winning streak,” he said. “I think what I’ve said was fair when you win the Premier League and then go on a run where you lose three or four games in a row, which you don’t expect from Liverpool over the last few years.

“As Virgil is captain I think that is your opportunity to go and lead the players and that is what I was saying. That happens in football and I think the response has been great from Virgil and the team.”

Van Dijk responded: “I think if you watched games then I would definitely take responsibility. I think the comment that I signed my new deal and then it was like ‘that is it’ and I let it slide, I think that was a bit… but that’s my personal opinion and we move on.”

Rooney’s initial criticism came after Liverpool’s 3-2 loss to Brentford last month, their fourth straight league defeat. On The Wayne Rooney Show, the former striker said Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah’s body language during the team’s struggles was a “big concern”.

“No-one has seen this coming, it’s hit them quick, it’s hit them hard and I think they’re struggling to find a way out of it,” Rooney said. “This is a time where the manager and the leaders in the team need to figure it out very quickly.

“Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah, they’ve signed new deals but I don’t think they’ve really led that team this season. I think body language tells you a lot, and I think we’re seeing slightly different body language from the two of them. They are the top two players in that team and if their body language is not right, that affects everyone else.

“I might be wrong on this, but if I was a Liverpool fan or the manager, that would be a big concern for me.”

After Liverpool’s win over Villa, Van Dijk responded. “I didn’t hear him [Rooney] last year,” he said. “It [the criticism] doesn’t hurt me. Just to come back to this particular player, 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 a bit of a lazy criticism.

“It’s easy to blame the older players but he knows as well as everyone else that we do it together and try to help each other to get out of this. There are so many platforms nowadays that everyone can say whatever they like and it gets blown up.”

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