Klopp defends Rooney: "All the legends drank like devils"
Rooney was thrown into the spotlight after The Sun alleged the Manchester United forward drunkenly gatecrashed a wedding, but Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says the coverage is unfair.
Wayne Rooney has apologised after "inappropriate" photos of him at a hotel party were released, but the England captain has been defended by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp who said all the games greats "drank like devils".
Rooney was thrown into the spotlight after The Sun tabloid alleged the Manchester United forward drunkenly gatecrashed a wedding at England's hotel in Watford, north of London, on Saturday.
Media reports said up to 10 other England players who separately went to a London nightclub have also been spoken to.
Rooney apology
Rooney started England's 3-0 World Cup qualifying win over Scotland on Friday, but suffered a knee injury that ruled him out of Tuesday's 2-2 friendly draw at home to Spain.
A statement issued on Rooney's behalf, said: "Naturally Wayne is sorry that pictures taken with fans have been published today. 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."
"Unfair victim"
However, Rooney's representatives have indicated that he believes he has been an unfair victim of the incessant media glare around top footballers.
A Rooney spokesman said: "As he has always been, Wayne was happy to sign (autographs), pose for photos and chat with guests. It is sad that one or two of them have now sought to turn Wayne's friendly good nature to their advantage."
Klopp: "We are human beings too"
And Liverpool boss Klopp also said the episode was not serious.
"I know we're all on the sunny side of life, we earn a lot of money and do the job we love, but at the end maybe it comes as a surprise that we are also human beings too," Klopp told a team press conference.
"These boys, this generation, is the most professional generation of footballers - not only in England, but England, too, that there has ever been.
"All the guys, all the legends we love and admire they drank like devils and smoked like crazy, but they were still good players. No one does it any more. I don't know anyone now."