Overview

• Speaking on his BBC podcast, Wayne Rooney called Steven Gerrard’s description of their England era disrespectful and said the players worked hard but “didn’t quite manage to get over the line.”
• Rooney said tensions between Manchester United and Liverpool players made close relationships difficult, yet he maintained that commitment on the pitch was strong.
• He contrasted past and present dynamics by noting that modern rivals often train together and engage more smoothly with the media, citing examples like Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford.
• Gerrard’s earlier comments on Rio Ferdinand’s podcast included calling the squad “egotistical losers,” saying “we weren’t a team,” and admitting he disliked long hotel stints and felt disconnected.
• Both men earned over 100 caps and played in six major tournaments without progressing beyond quarter-finals, whereas England have since reached two European Championship finals and a World Cup semi-final.