Former Liverpool midfielder Graeme Souness has expressed admiration for Wayne Rooney's television analysis whilst confessing he mutes certain other football commentators.
The 72-year-old Scot, who departed Sky Sports following the 2022/23 campaign after more than a decade and a half of punditry, singled out the Manchester United legend for particular acclaim.
"I like listening to Wayne Rooney as a pundit because he talks common sense," Souness stated, according to Sky Bet.
The ex-Liverpool star emphasised Rooney's credibility, adding: "I love Wayne Rooney as a player, and I like to listen to him. He has got authority so I can listen to him."
Graeme Souness has named Wayne Rooney as his favourite pundit currently
|PA
Conversely, Souness acknowledged his selective viewing habits, revealing: "Some of the other pundits, I turn the sound down."
The former England captain has secured a reported £800,000 annual contract with the BBC, becoming a prominent fixture on Match of the Day this campaign.
His broadcasting portfolio extends to Amazon Prime's Champions League coverage and his eponymous Wayne Rooney Show.
This media career follows less successful ventures in management, with brief tenures at Birmingham City and Plymouth Argyle over the previous 24 months yielding disappointing results.
Souness particularly commended the analytical approach of United's all-time leading scorer.
Wayne Rooney has become a successful pundit, in Graeme Souness' eyes
| PA"If you're putting together an all-time Manchester United team, Wayne Rooney is one of the first names on the sheet he was a real warrior," the Scotsman remarked, underlining the respect underpinning his assessment of Rooney's punditry credentials.
The broadcasting arrangement placed Rooney in an intriguing position when he criticised Liverpool's leadership following their recent poor form.
The former striker had specifically targeted Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah's conduct during the team's struggles, describing their behaviour as a "big concern".
Wayne Rooney laughed off the awkward atmosphere amid his interview with Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk earlier this week | AMAZONPRIMEVan Dijk dismissed these observations as "lazy" shortly afterwards, setting the stage for an uncomfortable encounter.
The Dutch defender's response came just days before Liverpool faced Real Madrid in the Champions League, where Rooney was scheduled to provide analysis for Amazon Prime.
This created an awkward dynamic, with the Liverpool captain and the pundit who had questioned his leadership set to meet face-to-face following the match.
The Champions League triumph over Real Madrid provided the backdrop for their televised reunion.
Van Dijk addressed the earlier controversy, stating: "In a world of chaos you have to try to stay calm and take the perspective of things. There's so much football to be played, so many twists and turns can happen. At the time the noise was a lot."
Rooney lightened the atmosphere with humour, joking: "I'm not saying anything any more, I think I've spurred them on and put them on a winning streak!"
The exchange concluded with Van Dijk defending his captaincy, responding to suggestions he had relaxed after signing his new contract: "I think if you watch games, I definitely take responsibility!"