Steven Gerrard and Roy Hodgson’s relationship might have been somewhat turbulent when he was in charge at Anfield, but they can both agree on the quality of Liverpool’s dream summer target.
With stints for Liverpool and England standing out as the biggest jobs of Hodgson’s long managerial career, the Reds’ then-best player is naturally up there with the best the 78-year-old has coached.
But a player he presided over at a smaller club gave him that same feeling of ‘wow, this is quality. That player is Michael Olise, who Hodgson brought through at Crystal Palace. And it would seem Gerrard agrees.
No Salah against PSG, unchanged at the back…
Any issues, Reds? 👀
Predicted XI Liverpool vs PSG
Predicted XI Liverpool vs PSG
Roy Hodgson compares Michael Olise to Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney
Long before we learned of Mo Salah’s intention to leave Liverpool at the end of the season, Liverpool have looked at Olise as a long-term replacement.
The Frenchman is tearing it up in the Bundesliga, and in the Champions League as we saw on Tuesday night.
Before the weekend, Hodgson was on The Wayne Rooney Show talking about the players that stood out in terms of pure quality.
Michael Olise during Wolverhampton Wanderers v Crystal Palace - Premier League
Photo by Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty Images
He said: “I mean, Michael Olise certainly is up there with Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard among the best players I’ve ever worked with.”
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
It’s a big claim, comparing the young Bayern star to two of England’s greatest players, but the natural talent Olise possesses is of the very highest level. Liverpool will continue to push to bring him to Anfield, and that’s something Gerrard himself seems quite keen on.
Steven Gerrard wants Michael Olise at Liverpool
Gerrard thinks Liverpool need a world-class winger to fill the void the Egyptian will leave, and he named Olise as the number one option when the Salah news broke.
Covering the Champions League on TNT Sports on Tuesday, the Liverpool legend doubled down.
He remarked: “Yes, I would love him at Liverpool, and I wouldn’t mind Diaz back as well.”
Gerrard is saying what every fan is thinking regarding Bayern’s two superstar wingers, who have formed one of the deadliest attacking trios we have seen in years alongside Harry Kane.
For a place in the final with Xabi Alonso 👀Who gets the nod?
Slot or Klopp?
Arne Slot vs Jurgen Klopp
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
The Olise deal has been put in the ‘unlikely’ category. He’s one of the best players in the world this season, and the German giants will be desperate to keep him on the books.
If Liverpool can lure him away — this summer or in the future — he has the potential to reach that all-time great level.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox