Rooney “couldn’t bear” to see Liverpool as champions

Wayne Rooney admits he “couldn’t bear” to see Liverpool crowned as Premier League champions this season.

The Reds find themselves two points clear of Manchester City having played a game more, ahead of a fascinating title run-in.

Rooney has little time for either of the league’s challengers this season, given his past allegiances to Everton and Manchester United.

While the 33-year-old admits it isn’t pleasant to see either team doing so well, he told talkSPORT that the prospect of Liverpool being champions is unbearable:

It’s a great reason to be out the country when those two are going head-to-head for the title.

I hope Man City get over the line before Liverpool. I couldn’t bear to see them win it, it would be a nightmare for any Evertonian.

I remember in 2005 (Liverpool) won the Champions League and they’re still talking about it now so it would be another 10 or 15 years of that.

Rooney’s thought process seems to be a similar to many United fans this season, despite their dislike of City, too.

The fact that Liverpool are yet to win the Premier League – the only trophy missing in their cabinet – is likely to be a big reason for it, in terms of the tribalism among fans.

No league crown since 1990 is the main thing other supporters can use against the Reds – if that drought ends in May, the mocking will have to stop.