Steven Gerrard’s Premier League Dream Team: The Four Players He’d Love to Play Alongside
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, considered a midfield maestro of his generation alongside Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes, has revealed the four current Premier League stars he wishes he could have played with during his illustrious career. Despite playing alongside world-class talent throughout his time at Liverpool and with England, football fans have always wondered who from today’s Premier League Gerrard truly admires.
While Gerrard enjoyed partnerships with iconic players like Luis Suarez, Wayne Rooney, and Fernando Torres, the question of his dream teammates from the modern era remained unanswered until he sat down with fellow pundit Gary Neville on ‘The Overlap’ in 2022. Let’s delve into Gerrard’s picks and understand why these four players made the cut for his ultimate Premier League dream team.
Gerrard’s Choices: Salah, Fernandes, De Bruyne, and Van Dijk
When Gary Neville posed the question about which current Premier League players he’d pick, Gerrard didn’t hesitate to name four stand-out individuals. Here are the players who made Steven Gerrard’s list:
- Mohamed Salah (Liverpool): Gerrard’s first pick was his own club’s Egyptian King, Mohamed Salah. Acknowledging Salah’s incredible goal-scoring record and Premier League triumph, Gerrard highlighted Salah’s achievements, even noting that Salah has surpassed him in Liverpool’s all-time scoring charts.
- Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United): A potentially surprising choice for some, Gerrard expressed his strong admiration for Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes. He acknowledged that some might disagree, but emphasized his genuine appreciation for Fernandes’ impact and quality on the pitch, especially highlighting his role as a standout player for Man United in recent years despite the club’s Premier League title drought.
- Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City): No dream team of Premier League stars would be complete without Kevin De Bruyne, and Gerrard was quick to include the Manchester City playmaker. Describing De Bruyne as “one of the best in the world,” Gerrard clearly recognizes the Belgian’s exceptional talent and influence in midfield. De Bruyne’s vision, passing range, and ability to create and score goals make him a truly world-class player.
- Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool): Completing Gerrard’s quartet is another Liverpool star, centre-back Virgil van Dijk. Gerrard’s praise for Van Dijk was effusive, labeling him “out of this world.” Van Dijk’s commanding presence, defensive prowess, and leadership qualities have transformed Liverpool’s defense and cemented his place as one of the best defenders globally.
These four selections showcase Gerrard’s appreciation for a blend of attacking flair, creative midfield play, and solid defensive foundation. It’s interesting to note the inclusion of both Liverpool and Manchester United players, demonstrating Gerrard’s respect for talent across rival clubs. While Gerrard himself never clinched a Premier League title with Liverpool, he clearly recognizes and admires players who have achieved that success, like Salah, or are striving for it as key figures, such as Fernandes.
During the same interview, Gerrard also weighed in on the eternal debate of Lionel Messi versus Cristiano Ronaldo, firmly placing his vote with Lionel Messi, while still acknowledging Cristiano Ronaldo as a “phenomenal player.” He emphasized the incredible, potentially unmatched statistical achievements of both legends in his era of football.
Gerrard’s insights offer fans a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a football icon and his appreciation for the current generation of Premier League talent. His dream team selections reflect a desire for a dynamic and balanced squad, capable of competing at the highest level.
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