Rooney gave Reds the swerve
Wayne Rooney has revealed how he gave Liverpool the “swerve” and turned his back on joining them – when he was just nine.
The 17-year-old striker, who is expected to partner Michael Owen for England in tomorrow’s Euro 2004 qualifier at Middlesbrough, was speaking in an interview on Everton’s official website, www.evertonfc.com.
He said: “I actually had a trial for Liverpool. I was playing for Copplehouse under-9s at the time and after the game I was approached by a Liverpool scout who invited me to Melwood (Liverpool’s training ground).
“I went along but after going there just once I got a phone call from Everton scout Bob Pendleton who asked me to go to Everton.
“It was the call I had desperately wanted and that was it for me. I gave Liverpool the swerve after that.”
