Wayne Rooney Opens Up on Merseyside Derby Rivalry, Family Divides, and Battles with Gerrard
The Merseyside derby is one of football’s fiercest rivalries – a clash that doesn’t just split a city but often divides families. Few understand that better than Wayne Rooney, a boyhood Everton fan who lived through the intensity of this fixture both on and off the pitch.
Family Divided: Evertonian Rooney vs Liverpool-Loving Coleen
Raised in a family of Everton supporters, Rooney featured in the derby across two spells with the Toffees and later took part in several high-profile clashes against Liverpool while at Manchester United.
But at home, things weren’t always blue. His wife, Coleen Rooney, supports Liverpool and once tested his patience in the most unforgettable way.
"When Liverpool won the Premier League in 2020, I came home and saw Liverpool flags hanging outside our old house," Rooney recalled on his podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show.
"I told her to get them down, so she climbed out of the window to take them off – and I locked her out," he laughed, admitting she wasn’t left out too long.
Rooney vs Gerrard: Fierce Rivals, Close Friends
Rooney never tasted victory in a Merseyside derby with Everton, but his Manchester United career gave him plenty of heated showdowns with Liverpool. One name always stood out – Steven Gerrard.
The pair were England teammates and friends, but on derby day or in United-Liverpool battles, friendship was set aside.
"We were good mates off the pitch, but on it, I just wanted to smash him – and he did the same to me," Rooney admitted. "Before games, you wouldn’t even speak. After the final whistle, we’d shake hands and move on."
He also pointed out Jamie Carragher as another Liverpool player who constantly wound him up.
"Carra was always in your ear, refereeing the game in his squeaky voice," Rooney joked. "Sometimes, when we were winning, I’d tease him about going out that night just to get under his skin."
The Emotional Toll of Derby Day
Despite his love for Everton, Rooney admitted the build-up to the derby often made him feel sick.
"I hated it," he confessed. "The whole week was horrible. Everyone at the training ground was an Evertonian, and you just couldn’t escape it. If you lost, Liverpool fans rubbed it in your face."
During his second spell at Everton, Rooney even took extra measures to avoid the stress.
"I turned off all the TVs at the training ground. I didn’t want to see anything about the game until kick-off. It was the only way to cope with the pressure."
A Rivalry That Runs Deeper Than Football
For Rooney, the Merseyside derby was more than just a game – it was a clash of identity, family loyalty, and personal pride. From heated duels with Gerrard to playful battles at home with Coleen, the rivalry shaped some of his most memorable moments in football.
And while he may never have beaten Liverpool in Everton blue, Rooney’s stories prove that the Merseyside derby remains one of football’s most emotional and unforgettable fixtures.