If there’s one player from Liverpool history supporters would love to have playing in the team today it is surely Steven Gerrard.
Gerrard earned his status as potentially the best player the club has ever seen across a glittering, 17-year career at Anfield.
The Scouser could have joined any team in world football had he wanted to, but despite a couple of close-shaves through the years, Gerrard always stayed loyal to Liverpool.
But it would be to do Gerrard a disservice to suggest that loyalty was his best attribute. The midfielder was one of the most gifted players of his generation.
Revered by almost all who played with him at Liverpool, the former No. 8 was one of the most complete footballers the world has ever seen.
For a striker, Gerrard must have been a dream to play with. And as one of those lucky enough to be delivered ammo from the Reds’ icon, Daniel Sturridge has outlined just how good it was to play alongside Gerrard.
Steven Gerrard celebrates after scoring for Liverpool against Queens Park Rangers in the Premier League at Anfield.
Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Daniel Sturridge loved receiving Steven Gerrard passes
Gerrard and Sturridge did not play together for long. The striker arrived from Chelsea in January 2013, two-and-a-half years before Gerrard left for LA Galaxy.
Nevertheless, the legendary captain clearly made an impression. Asked what it was like to play with Gerrard during an appearance on the YouTube channel AwayDays, Sturridge couldn’t speak highly enough of his former teammate.
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“Just the sickest guy, man. Proper cool guy,” said the 35-year-old. “I’d say in terms of leadership top, top level. But then also on a human level, honestly one of the best blokes I’ve ever met in football to be honest.
“Just a really, really genuine person, wants the best for everybody, works his socks off, model professional. He had everything. On the pitch as well, some of the passes he could play.”
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Asked to give his memories of Gerrard’s passing ability in particular, Sturridge said he was comfortably one of the best he ever played with.
“Stevie’s passing for me, out of all the players I’ve played with, he’s definitely top three, potentially one if I’m honest,” he admitted.
“I just think range of passing, could ping it, could whip it, could drill it low. He’s punchy when he’s passing it into you. Proper passes. As an attacker you want to receive proper passes, you don’t want things bobbling into you. He gives you the right pass, puts it in the right positions for you, allows you to be the man you’re supposed to be.
“So for me, Stevie’s passing; exemplary. Top, top player, top, top human and passing wise second to none.”
Sturridge picks out most memorable Gerrard pass
Sturridge also picked out one pass that Gerrard gave him while playing for Liverpool as worthy of mention.
Many supporters will likely have already known where the former striker was going as he recalled a ridiculously good, outside of the boot assist from Gerrard away against Fulham.
“I remember he played one pass through the middle, we played against Fulham away,” Sturridge began.
“He picked the ball up in the middle of the park and he’s given it the outside of the right boot between three defenders. Stop it!
“Studge is running through one on one, if I missed that chance there it would have been embarrassing. I did the [Thierry] Henry, whipped it far post, post and in. I went off celebrating. Good times.”