Steven Gerrard has outlined why he had a better connection with Michael Owen and Fernando Torres than with Luis Suarez.
Gerrard, who now manages Rangers, played with many generational striking talents throughout his 17 years with the Reds. Owen won the Ballon d’Or in 2001, while Torres and Suarez both lit up the Premier League with their explosive performances.
However, Gerrard recalls that he relied on being used in an advanced midfield role to form the best connection with his teammates up front.
As he was used in a deeper, holding midfield role during Suarez’s spell at Anfield between 2011 and 2014, the 39-year-old remembers his partnerships with Owen and Torres as being more potent.
When asked by Sky Sports who he most enjoyed playing with in an attacking sense, Gerrard replied: “It would either be out of Michael Owen and Torres.
“I played with Michael when I was quite young, I’d have liked to have played with Michael further on into our careers when we were both at our prime. But I always knew Michael was on the same page and wavelength.
“I didn’t even have to look when I was crossing the ball, I didn’t have to look twice to see if he was running, we were always on the same wavelength.”
Unfortunately for Gerrard, Owen moved to Real Madrid in 2004, though another prolific striker - Torres - joined Liverpool in 2007.
“I had that same connection with Torres when I moved further up and played in that more advanced role as a no. 10,” Gerrard added, before explaining why he did not have the same connection with Suarez.
“My role with Suarez was different because I was deeper. I think Suarez had other talents around him, i.e. Coutinho and Sturridge who were capable of creating as well so there was less onus on myself.
“I’d say Michael Owen and Torres were the two that I thought got the best out of me as a No. 8 midfielder.”
