Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has reacted to Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk’s comments in the wake of the Reds’ defeat to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League at the weekend.

Van Dijk was unable to help his team as they were defeated 3-0 by Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

After the game, the Dutchman criticized Arne Slot’s men for “not being good enough in terms of the battles, the challenges and the second-ball fight”.

However, Rooney believes Van Dijk’s comments should be a “concern and also a clear message to Liverpool players”.

Speaking on the development, Rooney said on Match of the Day: “That is a concern when your captain is speaking like that about the players lacking fight and not winning second balls or challenges.

“It’s a clear message [from Van Dijk] to his teammates, I think. Liverpool are a very good team, and they are going through a very difficult moment at the minute, and Van Dijk is the captain, the leader, and that is a strong message to his teammates.

“Maybe it’s meant for players who have not been there, who were not there last year, who did not win the league with Liverpool.”