Wayne Rooney has found an unlikely supporter after the Sun published pictures of him supposedly gatecrashing a wedding.
The story hit the front page on Wednesday with photographs of Rooney at the event being held at the Grove Hotel on his night off after the Scotland win on Friday night.
The Sun alleges that Rooney turned up at the event with his England training gear and claim that he was worse for wear.
England captain Rooney was forced to apologise after the story was published, insisting that he “fully recognises that the images are inappropriate for someone in his position”.
Wednesday's Sun front page:
Don't mess with me Argentina#tomorrowspaperstoday #bbcpapers pic.twitter.com/Ojhfba5bkJ— Nick Sutton (@suttonnick) November 15, 2016
But in his pre-match press briefing on Thursday ahead of Liverpool’s match with Southampton, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp came to the defence of the Manchester United skipper.
Our chief football writer Tony Barrett was there to hear what Klopp had to say:
Klopp on Rooney: "He's apologised for having a glass of whatever? I really feel for the players. There's a human being behind the kid."
— Tony Barrett (@TonyBarrett) November 17, 2016
Klopp: "This generation of footballers is the most professional we've ever had. I'm pretty sure what Wayne did was not really serious."
— Tony Barrett (@TonyBarrett) November 17, 2016
Klopp: "That's the life we live, under a (magnifying) glass and in one or two weeks no one will remember this."
— Tony Barrett (@TonyBarrett) November 17, 2016
Rooney’s full statement read:
”Naturally Wayne is sorry that pictures taken with fans have been published.
”Although it was a day off for the whole squad and staff, he fully recognises that the images are inappropriate for someone in his position.
”Earlier today Wayne spoke privately to both Gareth Southgate and [FA technical director] Dan Ashworth to unreservedly apologise.
”He would like to further extend that apology to any young fans who have seen these pictures.”
Elsewhere, Klopp was also asked about the reported interest in midfielder Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona.
The German insisted he is planning on keeping the Brazilian at Anfield:
Klopp on Coutinho: "The very good players you always want to keep long term. It's about creating a perspective that no one wants to leave."
— Tony Barrett (@TonyBarrett) November 17, 2016
Klopp: "In this moment I'm not worried about anything. The players like to be here and I hope it stays like this."
— Tony Barrett (@TonyBarrett) November 17, 2016
He was also asked about Adam Lallana’s fitness ahead of the England midfielder’s return to former club Southampton:
Jurgen Klopp says he is still waiting for Adam Lallana's scan results but hopes the injury is not too serious.
— Tony Barrett (@TonyBarrett) November 17, 2016
