Jürgen Klopp says Wayne Rooney shouldn’t be criticized for partying because old legends ‘drank like devils and smoked like crazy’

Wayne Rooney is catching some criticism after being photographed at a party while on England duty, and the FA is considering policy changes because of it. Even though Rooney and other players were reportedly out on a night before a day off, when they didn’t have training scheduled, players look likely to be banned from going out at all while on England duty.

Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp thinks this controversy is ridiculous.

This generation is the most professional generation of footballers we have ever had -- not only in England,” Klopp said in Rooney’s defense. “All the legends you admire, they drank like devils and smoked like crazy and were still good players. Nobody does that any more. I’ve no idea where Wayne was but I’m pretty sure it was not that serious.”

And yet, every time Rooney is pictured having fun at night, it’s a scandal.

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