Everton fans did not get to experience Wayne Rooney in his prime on Merseyside.
Having shown his raw potential, the Everton academy product departed for Manchester United in a move which he certainly won’t regret.
During his time at Old Trafford, Rooney won just about everything there is in club football.
Everton are prioritising a new striker this summer and they would love to have someone of Rooney’s quality as they’ve experienced some real issues up top this season.
Growing up a Toffee, Rooney idolised Duncan Ferguson and he even admitted he loved to watch Paul Gascoigne.
However, there was one other player who he modelled his game on growing up and it may surprise a number of Evertonians.
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Everton’s Wayne Rooney modelled his game on Liverpool free signing
During his two spells at Goodison Park, the England legend only scored one goal in a Merseyside Derby.
Rooney has recently said Mohamed Salah’s Puskas-winning goal was overrated but there was one former Liverpool player who he did admire considerably.
Speaking on The Overlap, the 39-year-old admitted he used to take a lot from the game of Jari Litmanen who joined Liverpool on a free transfer in 2001 from Barcelona.
“I used to watch Jari Litmanen,” he said to Jamie Carragher.
“I used to watch videos of Jari Litmanen all the time when he was at Ajax and Dortmund. Just in terms of how he found space and got on the ball.”
One former coach admitted Francis Jeffers was as talented as Rooney at Everton but the 39-year-old clearly had an edge in finding ways to improve his game.
Rooney had plenty of good players around him with the likes of Ferguson, but he was proactive enough to look further afield at what he could take from others to benefit himself.
Wayne Rooney has been present recently at Everton
Now finding himself out of work, Rooney has featured a lot recently around the club.
After visiting the new stadium, Rooney hailed Bramley-Moore Dock and the work which has been done by the club to build the new ground.
Although Rooney will be looking for another managerial job, the Everton strikers could certainly benefit from having someone of his experience coaching them.
Everton are looking at Liam Delap as a potential summer transfer option after his fine display for Ipswich Town this season.
After his performances this term, this is a player even Rooney would surely approve at Everton.
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