Wayne Rooney recalls annoying Jamie Carragher habit while he was playing for Liverpool vs Everton

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A Liverpool vs Everton derby is one of the most closely fought fixtures, especially when local players are involved.

The Reds are set to host their rivals, who used to play across from Stanley Park, at Anfield for the first time this season in Arne Slot’s third-ever game against the Toffees.

Over the years, there have been many Scouse men who have made their names in the Merseyside Derby, including the likes of Steven Gerrard and even Curtis Jones when he scored a screamer in the FA Cup.

It is one of those fixtures that has actually become more intense over time, but that is not to say that the animosity was not the same during the 2000s.

For Liverpool and Everton, respectively, they had two local players who were known for their clashes in Jamie Carragher and Wayne Rooney.

Wayne Rooney claims Jamie Carragher would try and referee Liverpool vs Everton by screaming

They were from the same city and had a friendly relationship, but according to Rooney, as soon as it was time to lace up the boots for the derby, Carragher did not mess around.

While he claims he and Gerrard would battle it out on the pitch and be friendly afterwards, the former Everton striker claims that it was a bit different when he faced the ex-centre-half.

During the Wayne Rooney Podcast, the 39-year-old explained that not only would he take it incredibly seriously, but he would also use an annoying trick to turn the game in the Reds’ favour.

READ MORE: Jamie Carragher says Everton may try new tactic to beat ‘vulnerable’ Liverpool at Anfield

He said: “There were a couple of times with Carragher, where he was in your ear. Carra used to try and referee the game and the referees normally used to let him. Because he was non-stop and he had that squeaky voice screaming down your ear and stuff.

“So there were times when you’d speak to him. So, and then there are times as well where, like if we win the game, like might have been two up or something towards the end, and I’d ask, What’s he doing tonight? You going out? Where are you going? And he would even look at me at times, and then he’d be the same. He winds you up as well. Normally, I wouldn’t speak to them.”

However, the former Manchester United player did admit that the way Carragher would talk to opposition on the pitch was ‘clever’ and Rooney himself was ‘too emotional’ to verbally disrupt players during a game.

Wayne Rooney never scored at Anfield for Everton against Liverpool

What is interesting about those derby day battles between Carragher, Rooney, and Gerrard is that the striker from the blue side of Merseyside was never able to score at Anfield for Everton.

The striker only has one derby day goal in his career at Everton, which was during his return during the 2017/18 Premier League season.

Unlike the No. 8 midfielder, who is currently fourth on the all-time scorers list for the Merseyside Derby.

Carragher, to no one’s surprise, was not able to get a goal during these games, but he is still an integral part of bringing the ferocity onto the pitch.