Lionel who? Gerrard says Cole is better than Messi

Now I’m quite bad for Liverpool bias most of the time – it’s hard not to be. But Steven Gerrard probably takes the biscuit today.

In an interview with Match of the Day magazine, Gerrard hails the arrival of Joe Cole at Anfield this summer, insisting the English midfielder is better than Argentine international Lionel Messi.

Despite having a quiet World Cup, Messi is regarded by many as the best footballer in the world, following in the footsteps of Argentinean legend Diego Maradona.

But Gerrard says Cole has just as much skill as Barcelona’s little South American and has tipped him for great things this season.

“[Lionel] Messi can do some amazing things, but anything he can do Joe can do as well, if not better. He used to shock us in training by doing footy tricks with a golf ball that most players can’t even do with a football. I really fancy Joe for the [player of the year] award this season.”

Gerrard added that he is delighted with new boss Roy Hodgson and his visions for the club’s future.

He said, “It’s a great club and after speaking with Roy Hodgson I’m really pleased to see his plans for the club. It’s a new era now – we must forget about the horror of what happened last season and get this club back to where it belongs, which is the Champions League at the very least.”

More from This Is Anfield

Fan Comments