Rooney reveals he locked Coleen out after Liverpool flags celebrated rivals' title

Wayne Rooney has revealed on his podcast The Wayne Rooney Show that he once locked his wife, Coleen, out of their home after she celebrated Liverpool's title win by hanging flags from the balcony. He recalled the incident occurred when he was with Derby County and Coleen had placed Liverpool flags on the balcony outside the front door. He asked her to remove them, and when she climbed out to retrieve them, he locked the door, effectively locking her out for a short period.

The episode underlines how fierce the Merseyside derby is, a rivalry that Rooney says can divide families. He is a lifelong Evertonian; Coleen's relatives are Reds, a dynamic that has shaped their years together. Rooney notes the episode occurred during Liverpool's ascent under Klopp, and that Coleen's celebrations included hanging Liverpool flags around the house.

Five years later, the tale continues to echo in their stories as Coleen's relatives reportedly mark title wins with Liverpool flags. The notes describe Arne Slot's side as having claimed a record-equalling 20th league title, a milestone referenced in Rooney's recounting of how the family continues to celebrate.

Liverpool, the reigning Premier League champions, opened the season with four straight wins and are set to host Everton at Anfield on Saturday. David Moyes, the manager who gave Rooney his Premier League debut in 2002, leads the Toffees to Liverpool's fortress on his 23rd visit to the ground, seeking his first victory there. Rooney, who is closely tied to Everton, will likely be watching from afar as his former club tests the hosts.

Liverpool have won the last four meetings between the two sides at Anfield and have lost only one home game to Everton in the past 25 years, a stat that frames Moyes' challenge as he aims to upset the defending champions.

Rooney has also reflected on the personal side of the derby: as a player, he never tasted victory in a Merseyside clash, and the buildup to each game used to make him feel sick. He described a week spent around the training ground where staff and players who were Evertonians heightened the pressure, prompting him to tune out derby-related content to focus on preparation. The fixture remains one of the sport's most intense tests of nerve and team spirit, with fans on both sides citing pride, history, and local bragging rights as the stakes.