As Anfield says goodbye to Steven Gerrard, we look at what the great and the good have said about Liverpool’s greatest son over the years…
Carlo Ancelotti:
He is undoubtedly one of the best midfield players in the world.
Mario Balotelli:
I think of him as being at the same level as Pirlo. Vision, technique but he is powerful as well.
Emre Can:
He is the greatest captain the club ever had – it’s as simple as that.
Daniele De Rossi:
Gerrard has been my idol for ten years and is one of the best players in the world.
Thierry Henry:
I can’t think of a striker in the world who has scored as many important goals, never mind a midfielder.
Gus Hiddink:
I love Gerrard’s qualities as a player and a leader. Technically and tactically he is the best.
Kaka:
An excellent player, in my opinion, he is the modern player.
Claudio Marchisio:
I have never seen such a complete midfielder.
Michael Owen:
He is second only to Zinedine Zidane in terms of his world-class status.
Ronaldinho:
He is one of the very best in the world. For the job he performs, for me he is one of the greatest.
Luis Suarez:
Steven Gerrard is the best player I’ve played with.
Fernando Torres:
He is without doubt the greatest player I have ever played with.
Patrick Vieira:
He is the complete player.
Zinedine Zidane:
Is he the best in the world? He might not get the attention of Messi and Ronaldo, but I think he just might be.