Jonjo Shelvey made 69 appearances for Liverpool across three years when Steven Gerrard was his captain at Anfield
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 9: Steven Gerrard, working as a television pundit for TNT Sports ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid at Anfield on September 9, 2026 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, who is now working as a lead pundit for TNT Sports(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
View 2 Images
Former Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has paid tribute to Steven Gerrard - claiming the legendary captain was the best player he ever played alongside. Shelvey and Gerrard were team-mates at Anfield for three seasons between 2010 and 2013 with the former moving on to Swansea City after 69 appearances for the club.
Shelvey, who now manages Arabian Falcons in Dubai, has explained what it meant to him to be colleagues of the 2005 Champions League-winning skipper, in an interview with FourFourTwo.
"When I was at Liverpool, I lived next door to him as well," he said. "And from my bathroom you could actually see into his living room, so I spent a lot of time on the toilet!
READ MORE: Steven Gerrard tried to make my Liverpool transfer happen twice - it’s frustrating it failed
READ MORE: Steven Gerrard settles Michael Owen or Robbie Fowler debate after Liverpool strikers spat
“He’d give me a lift into training, he was such a normal person, easy to talk to, and anything you needed he’d help you with. I can’t speak highly enough about him.
"I grew up watching a DVD about his career, so I knew everything about him. When I was a kid, I’d watch this DVD the night before my games to inspire me. I wanted to be him, so to play with him was amazing."
Shelvey added: "Later in my career I enjoyed playing against him as well, as it was the ultimate test. He was the best and had everything: defensively, shooting and passing."
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 03: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) (L-R) Steven Gerrard and Jonjo Shelvey of Liverpool FC run during a training session at Melwood Training Ground on May 3, 2013 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Steven Gerrard and Jonjo Shelvey run during a Liverpool training session at Melwood Training Ground on May 3, 2013(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
View 2 Images
Gerrard left Liverpool himself in the summer of 2015 after scoring 186 goals in 710 appearances for the club as well as providing 145 assists.
He spent two years at LA Galaxy before retiring and moving into coaching, back at the Reds' Academy, and then into management, with Rangers, Aston Villa and Al-Ettifaq.
The 46-year-old has not managed since leaving the latter in January 2025 and, while he has had offers to return to the dugout, he is currently enjoying his role as a lead pundit for TNT Sports.
Gerrard said: "At the moment I am happy, I am doing TV with TNT. I have signed a new deal. I have got some other bits and bobs that I do, some commercial stuff.
"I became a grandad a year ago. I'm loving being around the family, I get enough time off. My work life balance is great. I've had quite a few offers and chats with teams and stuff but at the moment I am really happy with what I am doing."
Liverpool return to action on Sunday when they host Manchester City in the Premier League (4.30pm kick-off).
Ensure our latest news and what's on headlines always appear at the top of your Google search by making us a preferred source. Click here to activate or add us as a preferred source in your Google search settings.