Alan Shearer has told Virgil van Dijk to stop having pops at pundits and do his talking on the pitch after the Liverpool captain became embroiled in a war of words with Wayne Rooney. The former Manchester United man first criticised Van Dijk after the Reds lost to Brentford last month, questioning his commitment since signing a new contract.
The Liverpool skipper hit back at what he regarded as 'lazy' comments, and the two later addressed the situation face-to-face after Liverpool's 1-0 Champions League victory over Real Madrid at Anfield. Rooney admitted earlier this week that he 'went a bit too strong' with his criticism but called on the Reds skipper to focus on his game.
But given Liverpool have lost four away games in succession for the first time in 13 years and have conceded 17 goals in their 11 league matches, Shearer told Van Dijk that pundits are well within their right to have a go at him and his team-mates. 'I think it's very difficult as a player to come out and have a pop back when you've lost five games this season and in the manner you've lost them,' Shearer told Betfair.
'Your best talking is on the pitch and getting results. They were really, really poor, so I think the pundits are well within their reason to have a pop.' Following Sunday's 3-0 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad, Arne Slot's side are now eight points behind leaders Arsenal.
Shearer believes not only are Liverpool out of the title race, but they won't win anything this season if they don't improve. 'If Liverpool continue to play like they did against Manchester City, then they won't win anything,' he said. 'I don't see them being in a title race now. It's the Champions League or the FA Cup for Liverpool, but they won't be winning any of those unless they improve anyway.'
