Virgil van Dijk insists that the Liverpool dressing does not listen to external criticism.
It comes after former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney the movements of Van Dijk in the run -up to PSG's goal in their Champions League defeat on Tuesday as “Lui”.
Van Dijk, 33, has been excellent for the Reds this season and, as teammate Mo Salah did not score for fun, he would have the opportunity to win the individual awards offered. But it still does not protect him against criticism after PSG's defeat on Tuesday.
Van Dijk said: 'Someone told me about this. I think I'm helping at the time [Andy] Robertson, who tells him to erase the outside, I take the inside. I now even explain what I thought at the time, but if he thought it was lazy, he gave his opinion, that's it. Did you think it was lazy? “
Van Dijk's versions are far from lazy this season, but the noise is precisely that for the players of the Reds prior to the Carabao Cup final of Sunday, while they are also 15 points clear in the Premier League title race.
“But listen, I think I also told someone, there were so many challenges that were years ago for those players and it is of course a challenge for the players nowadays that you are dealing with opinions here and there and it is always blown up. But I think, looking at what I see in the dressing room, the boys are doing well to keep their heads down and concentrate on the task that lies in front of us. That is the most important thing that I want to see.
“Even in difficult times, you know, because nobody is going to sail smoothly, especially if you are in the Premier League. If we get the reward for it at the end of the season, I am sure that Liverpool will bounce. “
Van Dijk also expects that there will be news about his future before the end of the season, but he still is still not sure if he will sign a new contract with the club. However, the Dutchman is not panicking and does not want the doubts about where he will play next season to bring fear while they can defend the title cruising and the Carabao Cup against Newcastle on Sunday.
He said: “There are several factors and as long as I am calm for you, it is not necessary to panic, what can happen in the future. If I was afraid that you would see me play a little worries and that is not the case.
“Maybe I will completely run this down and then there is still no news, I don't know. I don't know at this stage and I said that recently (after PSG game). But I don't want to create a fear or something like that, I just keep my head down and hopefully concentrate on winning the next 10 games and that is my full focus: to be there for the manager, the players, the fans.
“Let's see what it entails and I am sure there will be news towards the end of the season. But what kind of news I don't know for sure. “
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