Has there ever been a Premier League midfielder quite as good as Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard.
We know it’s become popular amongst a certain demographic of football supporter to ridicule Gerrard in recent years.
His slip against Chelsea in 2014 remains what some rival fans would love to remember him for. However, that’s largely because they don’t want to admit just how good he was.
At his peak, Gerrard could quite literally have played for any team in world football. As Gary Lineker recently said, there’s an argument that the Scouser was the most complete player the world has ever seen.
Ever since he left in 2015, Liverpool have been searching for the next Steven Gerrard. Dominik Szoboszlai’s early form at the club suggested Jurgen Klopp might have found it last summer, but the jury’s still out on the Hungarian. On Saturday though, Joe Cole claimed that there is indeed someone playing like ‘prime Gerrard’ in the country right now.
Declan Rice hailed as Steven Gerrard regen
From a Liverpool point of view, there are indications that Szoboszlai could one day be a player in a similar vein to Gerrard.
However, if the Reds wanted someone to do exactly what Stevie G used to, then Cole says Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice is the man.
Having watched Rice dominate the midfield for the Gunners against Bournemouth, getting himself a goal and an assist, Cole told TNT Sports that the 25-year-old is now a complete player.
“He did absolutely everything on the football pitch today,” raved the former Liverpool winger.
“I’d liken that performance to like a prime Gerrard, Roy Keane, Vieira that type of player. Complete midfield performance from him.”
Should Liverpool have signed Declan Rice
With Liverpool searching for midfield upgrades last year, there were reports that they were in for Rice at one stage.
In the end though, it was claimed that the Reds were instead focused on other targets. Reportedly intent on wooing Jude Bellingham, Liverpool stayed out of discussions for the then West Ham captain.
In hindsight, this could be seen as a mistake by the Reds. Although Rice may have been clear on his decision to join Arsenal anyway, they could have at least made their pitch.
Since then, Rice has gone on to lead the Gunners brilliantly this season. Jamie Carragher claimed that Liverpool would have been ‘six points clear’ at one stage if they’d have signed the England man. Although we’re not sure on that, he’s obviously made an impact.
Obviously, Rice is not joining Liverpool any time soon. So, if they want the next Stevie G, they’ll have to find him elsewhere.