Steven Gerrard‘s picks as his two most underrated teammates at Liverpool may make sense, but Jurgen Klopp might not love one of his selections.
Gerrard’s eclectic mix of teammates at Liverpool
Gerrard has a strong argument for being the Reds’ greatest player of all time, having enjoyed an extraordinary career at Anfield between 1998 and 2015.
The legendary former midfielder captained Liverpool to an unforgettable Champions League win in 2005, as well as winning multiple FA Cups and League Cups, and he is among the complete midfielders to have played the game.
Gerrard had some world-class teammates at Liverpool down the years, whether it be Luis Suarez, Fernando Torres or Xabi Alonso, to name just a few.
On the flip side, there were times when it felt as though the Reds icon was carrying too many average footballers, with his world-class talent deserving of winning many Premier League titles. Instead, that trophy forever eluded him.
Gerrard reveals two most underrated colleagues
Speaking in an interview with GQ magazine back in 2015, not long before he left Liverpool, Gerrard said that Didi Hamann and Dirk Kuyt are his two most underrated teammates from his Reds career.
“Good question. Er… Didi Hamman, although everyone knows he is class, a lot of his work was for the team and not stand-out work. Dirk Kuyt was also someone who was very selfless, so probably Dirk and Didi, two quality footballers who put the importance of the team first.”
It is hard to have too many qualms about Gerrard’s choices, with Hamann and Kuyt two players who often went under the radar while others made the headlines, including the former skipper himself.
Hamann was a great shield in front of the defence, possessing expert positional sense that didn’t allow his lack of pace to be exposed, as well as quality on the ball. The way in which his half-time substitution in the 2005 Champions League final against AC Milan turned the game on its head sums up his influence.
Klopp may not be too overjoyed about Gerrard picking the German, however, with Liverpool’s former manager having issues with his compatriot, once reacting angrily to criticism of him.
“Who said that? Didi Hamann? Oh great. A fantastic source, well respected everywhere. That (being a former Liverpool player) does not give you the right to say what you want, especially when you have no idea. I actually think Didi Hamann does not deserve that you use his phrase to ask a question. Do me a favour and ask your own question. Try to ask without using the word spark.”
As for Kuyt, he was so often the ultimate big-game player for Liverpool, scoring huge goals against the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Everton in the Premier League, as well as netting in the 2007 Champions League final defeat to Milan.