Steven Gerrard (foto: uradna spletna stran kluba)
Steven Gerrard, one of the finest midfielders of his generation, has reflected on the modern Premier League stars he would have loved to play alongside.
Despite enjoying a storied career across 710 appearances for Liverpool, Gerrard often found himself yearning for world-class teammates to match his relentless drive during the club’s 30-year league title drought.
Appearing on The Overlap with Gary Neville in 2022, Gerrard listed four current Premier League stars he believes could have elevated his game even further. Unsurprisingly, two of Liverpool’s current icons made the cut, alongside two standout players from Manchester-based clubs.
The first name Gerrard mentioned was Mohamed Salah: "Mo Salah," he immediately responded, as quoted by TalkSPORT. Salah, now one of the Premier League’s most consistent goal scorers, has played a pivotal role in Liverpool’s recent success.
Next on his list was Bruno Fernandes, whom he praised for his creativity: "Bruno Fernandes… you might agree with that," he told Neville. Fernandes has been instrumental for Manchester United, creating the most chances in the 2023/24 Premier League season.
Gerrard also highlighted Kevin De Bruyne, whom he considers one of the best in the world: "Kevin De Bruyne, for sure, 100 percent. He’s one of the best in the world." Known for his vision and passing ability, De Bruyne shares many qualities with Gerrard, making them an ideal midfield pairing in any fantasy lineup.
Finally, Gerrard couldn’t leave out defensive powerhouse Virgil van Dijk: "Defensively, I think that Virgil [van Dijk] is just out of this world." The Dutch centre-back’s commanding presence at the back has been key to Liverpool’s resurgence under Jurgen Klopp.
Since Gerrard’s interview, these players have continued to shine. Salah and Van Dijk remain vital to Liverpool’s domestic and European campaigns, while Fernandes has been a creative force at Manchester United. Despite battling injuries, De Bruyne continues to exert his influence at Manchester City.
The thought of Gerrard lining up alongside De Bruyne in midfield, with Salah leading the attack and Van Dijk marshalling the defence, paints the picture of an almost mythical dream team – one that could have dominated any era of football.