Wayne Rooney was substituted in the 57th minute of Everton’s 0-0 draw against Liverpool.
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has defended Everton midfielder Wayne Rooney on TalkSPORT after the Toffees star was withdrawn before the hour mark during Saturday’s Merseyside derby.
Rooney, 32, was substituted by Sam Allardyce in the 57th minute, and was clearly not happy with the decision as he walked off the field of play to be replaced by Idrissa Gueye.
The former England captain has been replaced 18 times in 28 Premier League appearances this season, despite dropping into the Toffees midfield in order to preserve his legs as he enters the latter stages of his career.
Murphy defended Rooney’s frustration as he trudged off the Goodison Park pitch, claiming that Rooney remains one of Everton’s best players.
“He is going to have certain games where his athleticism doesn’t help him,” Murphy said. “That means you have to put people around him who can do that type of work. I would suggest he is the only Everton midfielder who takes the ball in brave positions.
“He gets them playing. My understanding his anger came from ‘why am I coming off when none of these have done anything’. Every time I watch him, he is still one of their best players.”
Rooney rejoined Everton in the summer from Manchester United and has scored an impressive 10 goals this season, including a hat-trick against West Ham United.
He is expected to start once again on Saturday as Everton travel to Wales to face Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium, though it remains to be seen whether Allardyce will allow Rooney to remain on the pitch for longer.
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