Liverpool midfielder James Milner has spoken out about the respect and admiration he has for club legend Steven Gerrard.
Even though the No.7 was playing for Manchester City at the time, Milner says it would have been nice for Gerrard to have lifted the Premier League title in 2013/14.
The duo play together for England a good few times, but more often they were on opposing sides of the football pitch – with Milner moving from club to club through the 00s and 2010s.
But the current Liverpool vice captain has revealed what it was like to train with the legend. “He was a tough player [to play against]! I was lucky enough to play with him at England and the difference when he was in the session and when he wasn’t [was noticeable],” Milner told This Is Anfield.
“The tempo just lifted. Even in a one-touch session, the passes he made, the pace he put on them and you’re expected to deal with them – that was the level he played at.
“As an all-round player, he’s probably the best I’ve seen. He could do everything, both feet, score goals, defend, tackle, get about the field and lead by example.
“An unbelievable player to play with and horrible to play against.”
I’m sorry to tell you this, if you already didn’t know, but Steven Gerrard is your favourite player’s favourite player – the man transcends rivalries and demands respect.
It’s great to hear though that even opposition players (at the time) would have liked to have seen Stevie lift the Premier League title.
Hopefully we’ll have one soon enough, and he’ll be at Anfield to watch us lift it!