Wayne Rooney tells Virgil van Dijk Liverpool must ‘get on with it’ after complaining AGAIN about Reds’ early kick-off timing following derby defeat to Everton
- Liverpool’s title hopes suffered a major blow after 2-0 defeat to Everton
- Van Dijk criticized the Reds’ display before referring to their weekend game
- Phil Foden reveals what it’s REALLY like to play for Pep Guardiola in It’s All Kicking Off special. Listen on Spotify, Apple or wherever you get your podcasts
Wayne Rooney has told Virgil van Dijk that Liverpool must “keep going” and dismissed the Dutchman’s complaints about kicking off early on Saturday following their Merseyside derby defeat.
Liverpool’s title hopes were dealt a major blow at Goodison Park with Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin on target as Everton secured a 2-0 victory on Wednesday night.
The defeat leaves the Reds three points behind leaders Arsenal with four matches remaining, starting with a trip to West Ham on Saturday lunchtime.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Van Dijk warned that Liverpool face an uphill battle to prepare for the 12.30pm kick-off at the London Stadium.
“It’s time to focus again on the 12:30 kick-off,” he said.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has spoken about the Reds facing another early kick-off on Saturday.
Wayne Rooney slammed Van Dijk’s comment as he insisted Liverpool must ‘keep going’
“These games are always a big fight and something we shouldn’t have lost in my opinion. Now we have to pick ourselves up and be ready for an early kickoff on Saturday.
But Rooney insisted Liverpool have had to ‘get on with it’ after repeated complaints this season about the kick-off time after a midweek match.
“Again we hear about the 12:30 kick-off,” he said.
“These Liverpool players should want to go tomorrow because when you lose a derby game you want the games to come quickly.
“Keep going, it’s part of your job.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has previously complained about the number of lunchtime matches his side have played this season compared to their rivals.
Following the November international break, Klopp criticized the decision to postpone Liverpool’s visit to Manchester City from 5.30pm to kick-off time.
“How can we organize a match like this on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.?” he said.
“Honestly, the people who make these decisions can’t feel football, it’s just not possible.
“And it’s the time when the world pays the most to see a football match.”
Saturday’s game will be Liverpool’s fifth 12.30pm kick-off of the season, with Klopp having previously highlighted the challenge posed after midweek matches or players returning from international duty.
Van Dijk also admitted that Liverpool’s already slim chances of winning the title would completely evaporate with a repeat of the performance at Goodison Park.
The Reds have now won just one of their last four Premier League matches, drawing at Old Trafford against Manchester United and losing at home to Crystal Palace last month.
Jurgen Klopp previously complained about early kick-offs on Saturday after a midweek match
“Look, very disappointed in many ways and I think everyone needs to look in the mirror and look at their own performances and did they really give it their all and do they really want to win the league,” Van Dijk told SkySports.
“We are fighting and still have games after tonight, but if we play like we did overall in the match like today, not winning challenges and giving the referee the opportunity to give punches frank as he has done several times, then we have no chance of winning the title.
“It’s a difficult task and we obviously have to do much better against a team that is fighting against relegation.
