Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has named two Newcastle icons among his three favourite England players of all time. The 45-year-old recently appeared on ESPN and was asked to give his “top three” across a range of topics - one answer saw him include Alexis Mac Allister among the best midfielders in the world right now.
Given his own glittering career in the middle of the park, where he led Liverpool to a cabinet full of trophies - most memorably the miracle of Istanbul in the 2005 Champions League final - Gerrard knows a thing or two about what makes a great midfield general. With 114 England caps to his name, he also knows what it takes to become a Wembley Stadium favourite.
That’s why his response to any question about the England players who inspired him - perhaps even the ones who made it onto young Gerrard’s bedroom wall - offers a fascinating glimpse into his footballing DNA. He would have grown up watching the 1990 World Cup semi-final run, though only one of those who started in the heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat to Germany makes his list.
Gerrard Names His Three Favourite England Players Ever
Steven Gerrard
During the segment, Gerrard also shared his love for Snow Patrol and Scouse, the hearty stew from his Merseyside roots. But it was his answer on his three favourite England players of all time that drew the most intrigue. Without much thought, he revealed his picks were (watch the full segment below):
"Paul Gascoigne, Alan Shearer, John Barnes."
Paul Gascoigne is regarded as one of England’s greatest midfielders, and his trademark dribbling ability is still being emulated today by the likes of Phil Foden and Jack Grealish (or they try to emulate him at least). Alan Shearer, the Premier League’s all-time top scorer, hardly needs justification for his inclusion - though it’s easy to forget just how dominant the Geordie striker was at his peak.
Alan Shearer celebrates scoring for England.
John Barnes, meanwhile, was considered both England’s and Liverpool’s “Player of the ’80s.” As one of the Reds’ all-time greats, he would have been exactly the sort of player a young Steven Gerrard dreamed of becoming. Jamie Carragher once named him the best finisher he ever played with - high praise, given he also shared the pitch with Michael Owen and Fernando Torres.
Barnes’ ability to glide past defenders as if they weren’t there, coupled with his eye for goal, made him one of the most feared attackers in English football, and arguably the greatest dribbler the country has ever produced.
England's Greatest Midfielders
Paul Gascoigne celebrates for England
Paul Gascoigne celebrates for England
As mentioned earlier, ‘Gazza’ can quite rightly consider himself among the greatest midfielders in his nation’s history. Gascoigne was adored throughout his playing career, sparking the national phenomenon known as “Gazzamania.” It even prompted television host Terry Wogan to describe him in September 1990 as “probably the most popular man in Britain today.”
For the Three Lions, he was the heartbeat of the side’s run to the 1990 World Cup semi-final, while his iconic volley at Euro ’96 against Scotland - complete with the unforgettable dentist’s chair celebration - cemented his place in England’s football folklore. His status as both star and celebrity no doubt influenced Gerrard’s decision to name him first among his favourite England players. Watch Gazza's most iconic England goal below:
Gazza’s place in the conversation also brings to mind other midfield greats - Nobby Stiles, Frank Lampard, Paul Scholes, and Gerrard himself. Without reopening the eternal Scholes-Lampard-Gerrard debate, it was Gerrard who often stood apart, with his ability to contribute in both attack and defence making him the most complete option in the eyes of their England managers.
Nicknamed ‘Captain Fantastic,’ Gerrard brought his A-game to the international stage, winning 114 caps, wearing the armband 38 times, and playing in six of the seven major tournaments England qualified for between 2000 and 2014.
Along the way, he scored 21 goals and registered 23 assists. And that’s just scratching the surface of a player who definitely took a leaf out of Gascoigne's book to become one of the most complete midfielders the game has ever seen.
All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt (correct as of 20/08/2025)