Steven Gerrard is widely regarded as one of the greatest Premier League midfielders of all-time.
Gerrard joined Liverpool as a nine-year-old, rising through the youth academy into the senior team before leading the Reds to some of their most historic triumphs. Going on to make 710 appearances, placing him third on the Reds all-time list, Gerrard lifted two FA Cups, one League Cup, a UEFA Cup and a Champions League.
After 17 years as a senior player, Gerrard left Anfield to join MLS side LA Galaxy in 2015. Often hailed as one of Liverpool’s greatest ever players, the former England star’s impact was not only felt in the stands, but by his teammates as well.
Speaking in an interview with Andreas Poke, Torres didn’t hesitate to single out the legendary Liverpool captain as the best he ever played with.
“Steven Gerrard is my icon player. Key player for me and obviously the most important player in that role as a number 10.
The best player I played with, I’ve said it many times. He’s the player that completed my game.
I would be so happy to play with him again.”
For those who watched Premier League football between 2007 and 2009, this statement will come as no surprise. The Gerrard–Torres partnership wasn’t just effective, it was electric. In a league filled with iconic duos like Keane and Scholes or Lampard and Drogba, the chemistry between Gerrard and Torres felt different.
Torres arrived at Anfield in the summer of 2007 for a then club-record fee of £20 million from Atlético Madrid. Already regarded as one of Europe’s most promising forwards, the Spanish striker hit the ground running, scoring 24 goals in 33 appearances, and earning the Premier League Player of the Year award in his debut season.
But while Torres’s raw talent was undeniable, what truly elevated his game to another level was Gerrard — the heartbeat of Liverpool.
The England star had already carved out a legendary status for himself. Renowned for his leadership, drive, and knack for scoring clutch goals, he had recently been shifted into a more advanced role by Rafa Benítez.
Playing just behind the striker, Gerrard operated almost as a second forward and that proved to be the spark that lit the fire between him and Torres. In 2009, Liverpool pushed Manchester United all the way in the title race, and Gerrard and Torres were at the heart of it. Though the Reds narrowly missed out, finishing second, that campaign saw some of the best football Anfield had witnessed in years.
Torres left Anfield for Chelsea in a British record transfer of £50 million in 2011, cutting their partnership short. During his three-and-a-half-year spell at Liverpool, the Spanish striker scored 81 goals in 142 appearances.
Reflecting now, Torres’s admiration for Gerrard goes beyond footballing ability and illustrates Gerrard made those around him better. For Torres, Gerrard wasn’t just a teammate — he was the player who brought out his full potential.
