Peter Crouch has revealed Liverpool used to have a prized asset who was capable of doing just about anything on the football pitch.
Crouch spent 3 years at A field, scoring 42 goals and 134 appearances, and played alongside some of the Reds’ best players of the modern era.
Having a midfielder that can do everything is what every manager wants and former Liverpool striker Crouch firmly believes he played alongside one. That player is Steven Gerrard, who has to be one of the most complete players English football has ever had the joy of witnessing.
Speaking on his podcast, Crouch not only praised Gerrard but lauded him as his greatest ever teammate.
“He’s the best player that I’ve played with. He’s everything that a footballer should be. Even if you’re a top player in an England dressing room you would still have that respect.”
Crouch added that Gerrard was highly thought of at Liverpool, who at one stage during his career were the best team in Europe.
“Also, playing for a club like Liverpool and being in such high regard at a top club, it’s difficult to argue with that.”
Gerrard was a midfielder who played box-to-box. One moment he would be chipping in to help out his defensive teammates and the next he would be making a run into the opposition penalty area. The former Liverpool captain knew how to make a tackle and he was good at bringing attacks to a halt inside his own half.
Passing was another of Gerrard’s qualities, having had the composure to neatly pass the ball short and the vision to play long balls forward, often setting the striker up for a one-on-one opportunity. It is no wonder Gerrard registered 170 assists during his career.
On top of this, Gerrard was very good with the ball at his feet and he was able to carry it forwards and penetrate the opposition defence. This would sometimes lead to the Liverpool legend creating chances for himself and he would often take on shots from outside the box.
Gerrard may not have been a centre-forward, but he had an eye for goal. He usually stepped up in the big moments and scored in both the 2005 Champions League and 2006 FA Cup finals.
It was not just Gerrard’s footballing abilities which made him such a complete player, but the fact he was a true professional who knew how to lead. Gerrard captained Liverpool for almost 12 years and his former teammates only seem to have good things to say about his leadership.
Manchester United and Chelsea supporters would probably bring up Paul Scholes and Frank Lampard in a conversation about the most complete player, but it is a title Gerrard is certainly worthy of being given.
