- Liverpool’s title hopes suffered a blow following a 2-0 defeat to Everton.
- Van Dijk criticized the Reds’ performance before referring to the weekend’s game
- Phil Foden reveals what it’s REALLY like to play for Pep Guardiola in an It’s All Kicking Off special. Listen Spotify, Apple or anywhere you get your podcasts
Wayne Rooney told Virgil van Dijk that Liverpool “have to move on” and dismissed the Dutchman’s complaints about having to face an early start on Saturday after their Merseyside derby defeat.
Liverpool’s title hopes suffered a blow at Goodison Park with Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring as Everton claimed a 2-0 win on Wednesday night.
The defeat leaves the Reds three points behind leaders Arsenal with four games remaining, starting with a trip to West Ham on Saturday lunchtime.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Van Dijk warned that Liverpool faced an uphill battle to prepare for the 12.30pm kick-off at the London Stadium.
“It’s time to refocus on the 12:30 kick-off,” he said.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has hinted that the Reds will face another early start on Saturday.
Wayne Rooney criticized Van Dijk’s comment and insisted Liverpool had to “move on”.
“These games are always a big fight and, in my opinion, something we shouldn’t have lost. Now we have to get up and be ready for the early start on Saturday.”
But Rooney insisted Liverpool had to “move on” after repeated complaints this season about the kick-off time after a midweek match.
“We again heard about kick-off at 12:30,” he said.
“Those Liverpool players should want to go tomorrow because when you lose a derby you want the games to come quickly.”
“Keep going, it’s part of your job.”
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has previously complained about the number of lunchtime games his team has had this season compared to their rivals.
After the international break in November, Klopp criticized the decision to reschedule Liverpool’s visit to Manchester City from 5.30pm to kick-off time.
‘How can you organize a game like this on Saturday at 12:30 pm?’, he said.
“Honestly, the people who make these decisions can’t feel football, it’s just not possible.
“And it is the moment when the world pays the most to watch a football match.”
Saturday’s game will be Liverpool’s fifth kick-off of the season at 12.30, with Klopp previously highlighting the challenge it poses following midweek fixtures or players returning from international duty.
Van Dijk also admitted that Liverpool’s already slim chances of winning the title would completely evaporate if the performance at Goodison Park were repeated.
The Reds have won just one of their last four Premier League games, drawing at Old Trafford against Manchester United and losing at home to Crystal Palace over the last month.
Jurgen Klopp previously complained about early kick-offs on Saturday after a midweek match
“Listen, I’m very disappointed in many ways and I think everyone has to look in the mirror and look at their own performances and see if they really gave it their all and really want to win the league,” Van Dijk told Sky Sports.
“We are fighting and we still have matches after tonight, but if we play as we did overall in the match like today, without winning challenges and giving the referee the opportunity to take free kicks as he did many times, then we have no chance “. to win the title.
“It’s difficult and obviously we have to do much better against a team that is [fighting] against relegation
