If anyone knows how difficult this is to pull off, then it’s Wayne Rooney. The Manchester United legend had produced the odd moment of showstopping brilliance himself a couple of times in his own career, after all.
Two weeks ago, Rooney celebrated the 10-year anniversary of that volley against West Ham at Upton Park. Manchester United’s all-time record goalscorer also found the net from the halfway line vs The Clarets after returning for a second spell at Everton, and repeated the trick during his time across the Atlantic for DC United against Orlando City.
So as Rooney shone a light on the technique Bruno Fernandes displayed when fizzing a first-time strike past Coaimhin Kelleher and into the Liverpool goal from 50-yards out on Sunday afternoon, the former Red Devils skipper was worth listening to.
Wayne Rooney hails Manchester United ace
“It’s great,” Rooney tells Premier League Promotions. “The keeper is a bit fortunate. He didn’t get a hand on the ball and didn’t get a red card.
“The technique, (Fernandes) almost stabs it in. Just put the right amount of spin and elevation to get it over the keeper. A fantastic finish.”
Rooney even believes that Fernandes’ Beckham vs Wimbledon-esque finish was even better than his iconic volley away to West Ham a decade ago.
“(My goal) was easier technique than Bruno’s one. I had a similar one against West Ham for Everton, which was a bit easier. The amount of times you see when players go to kick the ball and (if hits) your left toe and you just miss the ball…
“Bruno’s was incredible technique. If it comes from the other side, you can put a bit of curl on it. It’s easier to do it that way. Well, for some of us! That’s such a difficult technique to do and keep the control on it. Such a hard skill when the ball is coming across you, so it’s an incredible finish.”
The Portugal international has often come in for criticism on the back of his performances against fellow ‘top six’ sides. And after a pretty dismal first half, it looked as if Fernandes would be in for a similar post-match roasting.
That was, of course, until he took his tally for the season to double figures with only his third goal against Jurgen Klopp’s side. And his first since 2021.
Bruno Fernandes finally turns up vs Liverpool
Rooney, however, was not quite so complimentary when it comes to Fernandes’ involvement in Liverpool’s late equaliser. The skipper was beaten too easily by Joe Gomez in the build up to the penalty Harvey Elliot won (and we do mean ‘won’ having seen the replay from that angle) with around ten minutes left on the clock.
“Very poor,” Rooney adds, Elliot dangling his leg and tumbling over the sprawling Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
“When you go back a bit, Bruno Fernandes is too easy to get past when Joe Gomez is taking his run down the line. “Bruno dives in and lets him get past, which is why Aaron Wan-Bissaka then has to come out.
“If he stays on his feet you don’t get to this situation. But it’s very poor from Wan-Bissaka.”