Wayne Rooney told Virgil van Dijk to stop complaining about kick-off times and ‘get on with it’.
Van Dijk bemoaned the fact Liverpool face another 12:30 pm kick-off on Saturday following their 2-0 defeat to Everton in the Merseyside derby on Wednesday that left their Premier League title hopes in pieces.
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Captain Van Dijk questioned his side’s desire to actually win the league and said they cannot consider themselves contenders if they continue to play that way.
He then brought up the fact that their next game was an early kick-off against West Ham.
“It's time to focus on the 12:30 kick-off again," he said after the loss.
“These games are always a big fight and something that we shouldn't have lost in my opinion. Now we have to pick ourselves up and be ready for an early kick-off Saturday.”
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Former Everton and Manchester United striker Rooney, who was working for Sky Sports during the game, then responded to those comments.
“I think the worrying thing there, and I think it’s happened a lot throughout the season, is that he’s the captain and he’s talking about Liverpool being out-fought," he said.
“Again we’re hearing about 12:30 kick-offs, when they’ve just lost a derby. That Liverpool team should be wanting to get on the pitch tomorrow to get the next game going.
“When you lose a game, especially a derby game, you want the next game to come quick.
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“We’ve heard it so many times with Liverpool this season about 12:30 kick-offs, get on with it! That’s part of your job. You should be ready to play.”
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp apologised to fans for the result, which has left the club three points behind leaders Arsenal, with Man City one behind and with two games in hand.
It was Klopp's last visit to Goodison Park as Reds manager and it brought with him his first loss there.
The last time Everton won a Merseyside derby was in 2010 when Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta scored for the Toffees. Now, his former club have done him a huge favour.