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Liverpool v Everton: Wayne Rooney reveals how Dejan Lovren helped him score penalty
WAYNE ROONEY has revealed Dejan Lovren’s decision to kick the ball away after conceding a penalty helped him to convert the spot-kick.
Wayne Rooney has admitted Dejan Lovren helped him score his penalty against Liverpool
Everton secured a hard-fought point against their rivals Liverpool courtesy of a contentious penalty deep into the second half.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin went down under a challenge from Dejan Lovren and Wayne Rooney calmly stepped up to dispatch the spot-kick as it finished 1-1.
And the former England captain has revealed his penalty was made all the more easier by Lovren’s decision to boot the ball away after conceding the foul.
He claimed the extra time taken recovering the ball gave him a moment to compose himself before smashing his effort past Simon Mignolet.
"I had to keep myself composed,” Rooney told BBC Sport.
“Lovren kicked the ball away and that gave me time.
“I knew where I was going. I practiced yesterday and thankfully I caught it right.
“It looked a clear penalty. He pushed him over and the ref has made the right decision."
Dejan Lovren was protesting his innocence after bringing Dominic Calvert-Lewin down in the box
Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp looks ahead to Merseyside derby
And Rooney admitted it felt just as good scoring against Liverpool for Everton as it did during his Manchester United days.
“It is great to play the derby,” he added.
“t is great for the city and there are bragging rights. The Evertonians will be more pleased.
“It is always nice to score against Liverpool, no matter who you play for.”
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