Virgil van Dijk insists ‘it doesn’t hurt’ to hear Wayne Rooney singling the Liverpool captain out after the team’s recent dip in form.The former England captain singled out both Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah prior to Saturday’s win over Aston Villa, with Liverpool going into that clash off the back of four straight league defeats.GettyVan Dijk has hit back at Rooney’s recent criticism following Liverpool’s return to winning ways[/caption] Arne Slot’s side had also lost six of their previous seven games across all competitions.However, goals from Salah and Ryan Gravenberch secured all three points at Anfield.Following the match, Van Dijk addressed Rooney’s recent comments as he hit out at his ‘lazy criticism’.The Dutch defender explained: “I didn’t hear him last year. No, it doesn’t hurt me to be honest.“Just to come back to this particular player, obviously a legend, a big player of the game who inspired so many, I can say only positive things but I feel that comment is just I would say it’s a bit of a lazy criticism.“That’s my personal opinion. It’s easy to blame the other players but he knows obviously as well as everyone else we do it together trying to help each and every one of us to try to get out of this and, like I said as well, last year when things go well you don’t hear that at all. It is what it is.“(Pundits) have to do that job as well, so it is what it is. Like I said, he has an opinion and we have to deal with it. “And there’s no hard feelings, by the way. I don’t take it personally whatsoever.”Van Dijk has played every minute of Liverpool’s ten league matches so far this term.He has kept a clean sheet in three of those fixtures, including the win over Villa.GettyRooney singled out Van Dijk and Salah for their body language and leadership[/caption]What did Wayne Rooney say?His response to Rooney had been prompted by his remarks regarding Van Dijk and Salah’s leadership and body language.During an episode of The Wayne Rooney Show, he said: “Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, they’ve signed new deals but I don’t think they’ve really led that team this season.“I think body language tells you a lot, and I think we’re seeing slightly different body language from the two of them.“They are the top two players in that team and if their body language is not right, that affects everyone else.”Van Dijk penned a fresh two-year deal through to the summer of 2027 back in April.His contract extension came as Liverpool clinched the Premier League title, the second of Van Dijk’s career.GettyVan Dijk signed a new deal at Anfield in April which will keep him at the club until 2027[/caption]The 34-year-old could still add a third winner’s medal this term despite the Reds’ recent slump.Liverpool are back up to third after beating Villa, seven points behind leaders Arsenal.