Arne Slot has named Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard in his all-time Champions League XI, forward of Andres Iniesta and Zinedine Zidane.
Though he by no means gained the Premier League, Gerrard dragged Liverpool to unbelievable success in opposition to the chances within the Champions League.
The previous England worldwide notched 21 targets and 14 assists in 73 competitors appearances — in addition to an additional 9g/4a in 14 qualifiers — profitable the 2005 ultimate in opposition to AC Milan and ending runner-up to the identical opponent two years later.
That got here at a time when Liverpool’s group was a far cry from the star-studded unit Slot has inherited from Jurgen Klopp and Gerrard has lengthy been hailed because the catalyst and purpose behind their success below Rafa Benitez.
Actually, many Liverpool followers maintain Gerrard among the many membership’s greatest-ever gamers, alongside the likes of Kenny Dalglish and Mohamed Salah.
Requested to select his all-time Champions League XI for Amazon Prime, Slot outlined his reasoning behind selecting Gerrard over the likes of Iniesta and Zidane.
“If you happen to would have requested me this a yr in the past I might have most likely mentioned Iniesta, however I believe now I’m going to go for Steven Gerrard, being Liverpool supervisor!” mentioned Slot (by way of That is Anfield).
“Why he may need to be in my group is that the opposite ones, like Iniesta, like Zidane, they performed with unbelievable teammates, and naturally, Steven Gerrard performed with good to actually good teammates, however I don’t suppose he performed with the identical degree of gamers.
“Then nonetheless being so particular for the membership, lifting the trophy as soon as, taking part in so lengthy for this membership, he meant a lot for it.”
Arne Slot picks 4 present Liverpool gamers in UCL XI
Whether or not it’s bias, concern of enraging his new followers or just being wowed by the gamers he’s inherited, Slot picked no fewer than 4 present Liverpool gamers for his mixed XI.
Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson is between the sticks, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk lining up in defence alongside Barcelona nice Gerard Pique and Dutch legend Frank de Boer.
Sergio Busquets and Luka Modric run the midfield alongside Gerrard, whereas there’s a fearsome entrance three that includes Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and, in fact, Mohamed Salah.
Right here was Slot’s reasoning for his 4 present Liverpool stars, who every helped the Reds win the 2019 title:
On Alisson: “I work with him now, however he was additionally actually necessary once they gained the Champions League just a few years in the past. Since I’ve labored with him, I see how particular he’s and what number of necessary saves he already made. He’s been excellent for Liverpool in all these years, it’s a straightforward decide for me to go for Alisson.”
On Alexander-Arnold: “I’m going to go for Trent in the proper full-back place, for apparent causes. I believe he’s been so particular for Liverpool in all these years, coming from the academy [to] profitable the Champions League at this membership.”
On Van Dijk: “Virgil must be there. He has had lots of influence on this membership. I believe when he and Alisson got here in was the final step the group wanted to make. Spectacular centre-back, actually good within the air, he has all of the attributes a centre-back ought to have. So he’s for positive in it.”
On Salah: “For me, it’s clear that Mo Salah ought to be in. Eight or 9 years on such a excessive degree within the latest historical past of this membership, he’s scored so many targets. He’s been actually particular for this membership.”
High picture by Michael Regan/Getty Photos
