In 2017, Wayne Rooney made a heroic return to Everton after leaving as a teenager to join Manchester United. Upon his return, Rooney acknowledged a sense of fear within the players and staff at the club and emphasized the need to relax and clear their minds ahead of games. Rooney’s influence appeared to have the desired effect, as Everton went unbeaten in both of their league meetings with Liverpool that season.
However, they were not as fortunate in the FA Cup, with Liverpool edging the tie with a late goal from Virgil Van Dijk. Despite his positive sentiments towards Jurgen Klopp, recognizing his impact on the Premier League and Liverpool, Rooney expressed his ongoing distaste for Liverpool as an ex-Everton and United star. He also highlighted the pressure and anxiety surrounding matches against Liverpool for Everton, emphasizing the significance of their recent victory against Nottingham Forest in boosting team morale.
In conclusion, Rooney expressed his hope for Everton to send Jurgen Klopp off with a loss while recognizing the challenges and pressure associated with facing Liverpool.