A high-scoring former Liverpool striker has responded to claims that he was actually underrated.
Former England international Emile Heskey began his tenure on Merseyside in March of 2000, bringing an end to his time at hometown club Leicester City.
Heskey would go on to make 223 appearances for Liverpool in his 4-year spell at the club, hitting the back of the net 60 times in all competitions during this time.
He played a key role in the clubs success during the 2000-01 season in which they won an FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup treble.
Whilst he received plaudits during his stint at the Reds, it has been argued that the ex-England striker was actually underrated and did not receive the recognition that he actually deserved.
Speaking on the More Than A Match podcast, Heskey shut down the claims that he was an underrated player, as he says his success for both club and country was enough to prove this wrong.
“No, I don’t think I went under the radar or was underrated. I think there was a narrative that was sold and people believe it. I watched Gary Neville’s [podcast] and they had to name the 100 club, and they were like, ‘No, [Emile] never did it.’
But there’s a narrative and there are people that think I haven’t done anything. The first six years of my career I won seven trophies. Every kid that wants to play football wants to play in the World Cup. I managed to play in two. I played in two Euros, two World Cups. I scored in the World Cup.
At times you have to sit back and realise what you’ve achieved. If you go by the narrative people will believe you haven’t done anything.”
Heskey would go on to play for a further three Premier League clubs after leaving Liverpool in 2004. He brought an end to his playing career at the end of the 2015-16 season following the expiry of his contract with Bolton Wanderers.
