Liverpool icon Graeme Souness mutes pundits as he gives Wayne Rooney verdict

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Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has heaped praise on Wayne Rooney for his punditry, although he's less impressed with other former professionals sharing their views. “I love Wayne Rooney as a player, and I like to listen to him – he has got authority so I can listen to him.

Rooney later conceded that he had been "a bit unfair" in his remarks about the Dutchman's commitment amid Liverpool's recent difficulties, but affirmed he would continue to voice his thoughts. "I said on my podcast the other day, the one thing where I maybe went a bit too strong is where I said he’s maybe downed tools since he signed a new contract – that’s a big statement to say, so maybe I was wrong on that.

"But from a performance level, from what we’ve seen, Van Dijk, I don’t think he’s been at the level he has this season. "I said I’m sure as captain he’d be speaking to players, taking the team out for food, which he said he has done.