Steven Gerrard: I Would Not Have Left Like Trent Did | Our England Squad Were ‘Egotistical losers"

Lost me job at Aston Villa which was really tough because I found the the last six or seven games really tough because I felt like I couldn't pull it back and it's frustration frustrating when you're in that position you you're working harder you're doing more and you just can't pull it back because you know that the the dressing room's maybe not going to help you pull it back but I lost control of it >> quickly and it deteriorated quickly and I found it hard to get it back. That was tough and frustrating. Steven Gerard, one

of the most incredible footballers of a generation. >> Probably like myself, Lampard and Skoles. We're all different. >> Well, now you brought us there. Who's better? >> I've played with him for many years, but when he sits down for this episode of Rio Meets, I'm still learning new Things. >> He was an animal. >> He was a nasty piece of work. He was a nasty, nasty piece of work. We were a pair of devils on the pitch, if you like. little staffs. >> The Manchester United lads and Alex Ferguson are rubbing their hands together. >>

Are you falling out of time? >> Was that true? >> He's refreshingly honest about some big Parts of his career and some others, too. >> I think we were all egotistical losers. The Chelsea thing is exactly the same. >> It makes me feel There's not many better than Roy Keane >> when I judge a midfielder. >> Do you agree with a stick he got there? I can understand it from being in trench shoes >> and you you know the stick you got so What >> I got it the next person that flirts with Real Madrid

or Barcelona or blah blah they're going to get stick we we we play a game with millions and millions of people that are paying good money or they're all you're going to get a bit of stick. >> So enjoy witnessing a side of Steven Gerard that you won't have ever seen before. >> He would have everyone terrorized in the Premier League. I'm telling you right now, he'd be the best midfield in the Premier League. Hands down. I probably wouldn't. You helped me get sent off, didn't you? >> Did he? >> Yeah. I said, >> you

like CL, the ref. [Music] >> Hey, mate. >> How are you? You okay? >> Good. Yeah. You >> good to see you? >> And you? You're all right. Yeah. Here's your seat. It's bit closer, isn't it? >> Yeah. >> It's nice. How you doing? >> Great. All good. >> Family good. >> Excellent. >> Granddad now, isn't it? >> Yeah. Granddad. Yeah. Few more gray hairs. >> It's unbelievable. Youngest looking Granddadon I've seen, I think. You >> reckon? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. If we have a shave, maybe if we have a shave, but um no, brilliant,

mate. Really good summer. Lily had the baby. Um both healthy, both fine. So, >> really proud grandad. >> Oh, good. We We were talking about you before with Michael. You seen the stuff we done with Michael a little while ago? >> Um >> explosive was it? >> Yeah. You came You tags you. It was a great interview by the way. >> No, cheers. Thank you. But what what I wanted to ask you about him is like um is that the Michael Owen you know though cuz a lot of people he gets sometimes he gets he

gets viewed in a different way to actually the way I see him cuz I'm always around him as a like a offscreen. >> Well I I I come through the whole system With him from a football point of view. So I would have met Michael at 8 years of age. I know the mentality of the player. Um I know the level that he got to. Um and I think the interview was really honest. Um, but I think it was also Michael reminding people, you know, don't forget about me. >> Yeah. Exactly. Yeah. >> Because a

lot of people get, in my opinion, too much credit for the careers they've had. >> Um, and I think in Michael's case, he doesn't get enough credit. Um, especially in the period where he touches on a lot from 17 to 23 before he got the big hamstring injury, he was as good as anyone in terms of >> being a striker. Um, and the thing that people maybe don't know about Michael is they see this little small center forward who's this, you know, pretty boy, family man, blah blah blah. He was an animal. >> Yeah. >>

He was a nasty piece of work. He was a nasty nasty piece of work. >> I remember managers even when we was young, Lisa, etc. having to take him off or tell him to calm down >> cuz he want to smash people. >> Yeah. Well, we were we were a double actor, you know. I can't say that it was all it was all Michael. Um, you know, I used to back him up a lot and he used to back me up a lot. We were a pair of uh Devils on the pitch if you like.

>> Little staff. >> Uh, little we were, you know, he was the first press and I was right in behind them, but we were two tenacious competitive >> small footballers coming through cuz we were both small, but we had this mentality where we didn't like to get beat. That's the bit that got Michael the Boundar in my opinion. Not just the goals and the speed, >> it was the the hunger and the um the devil in him. There's a devil in Michael own from a football point of view. >> Yeah, there is. >> And um

let's have it right. There was a period that's three four years where he was he was up there with the best. >> It's it's weird because obviously you've you've played you would have seen on there one of the big talking points of the the Michael Owen versus Wayne Rooney >> chat that come out the back of it. And Um there's probably no one better placed actually than yourself to be able to kind of dissect as teenagers. >> Where would you sit? >> I don't think they're in the conversation to compare against directly each other. That's

not me sitting on the fence because Wayne Rooney is the best player I played with in England, >> hands down, >> is he? >> Because he can do so many things. Um and I don't see Wayne as a number nine. I don't see him as a number 10. I see him as an all round attacker because he can occupy a back four or a back five on his own. M >> and the only other striker I've seen do that is Luis Suarez. So Wayne's in the Suarez conversation for me. They're direct. >> That's more of

a comparison for you. >> Yeah. For me because they're similar. >> And a Torres and an area would probably >> I'd say Torres and owner more. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Probably like myself, Lampard and Skoles, we're all different. >> Yeah. >> But because we're attacking eight people debate it more than any other debate in the world, which I understand. >> Well, now you brought us there. Who's that? >> That's all. You know, I always back myself. >> Yeah, >> I always back myself. >> Yeah, good. >> Um, but I love Frank Lampard as a player

cuz I love his hunger for goals. He was the best at arriving in the box, his timing, his hunger for goals as an attacking midfielder. >> I think he probably outshines myself and Schosey in terms that hunger for goals and being obsessed on the thing. If you're talking about someone who can run A game, who you can't get near when he's at his best, control a game, looks silky, great on the eye, probably looks better on the ice goalie. >> Um, but me a as a as a young boy >> and coming up as a

young kid and the mi midfielder, I didn't start out to be an attacker or an midfielder. I just want to be a midfielder. >> And a midfielder for me >> is you can do everything. >> And that's how I tried to grow and Evolve and become. And I personally don't I I I I'll back myself against anyone in the world. If you're looking at every component of a midfielder defensively, attacking, transition, for and against, if you're marking and judging a score on every component of being a midfielder, I I'll go against anyone. >> I love

that. I love that. >> I'll go against. >> You know, it's it's mad cuz like Americans do this and it's it's normalized in America. You're champion for backing yourself and going, "Actually, no, no, I am the best." It's it's weird because in our country it's a little bit like oh well he's a bigger that's what Michael own was getting because he's backing himself. >> You you're not going to get that because you don't divide opinion as much as someone like Michael. But I just it's refreshing to see someone actually go no Listen I do actually

>> there's types of there's types of midfielders. There's types of defenders like I get asked the question a lot with you and John Terry >> for example >> and I think you're different. You both play center half which is weird. You all play in the same position blah blah blah. thought you were great together, but I you're very different. The most more frustrating thing for me about the Debates when I hear it a lot is why why hasn't been someone over a 15 year period that's made us work together? >> Yeah. Well, I was going

to come to that, but you took us there again. It's true. >> You know, how and and that's, you know, that's on me as well because at times underperformed and blah blah blah and I'm sure Frank roll his hand up. They're all honest lads. But >> do you not think the system sometimes facilitates Two, a two doesn't work with Them three. >> A two doesn't work. So, um, >> or does one of you have to sit out? >> Yeah, one of us. Yeah, if you're playing the system that a lot of the coaches played, I

think someone had to have the courage to say, "Well, Steven, it's not you today or Frank or Scholzy, >> putting Scholy on the left and me on the right or me on the left >> or asking one of us to be >> just a sitter takes a lot away from any Of us." >> Um, >> but I think I think we could have played I think we could have played together. I think we could have >> tactically being coached over a period of time for it to work because I believe we had the football IQ

and intelligence to adapt and make it work together. >> Um, but there's a bigger problem in England in my opinion. I think we were All egotistical losers. >> Yeah, >> cuz I I I watch the telly now and I see Cara sitting next to Paul Scholes on this fan debate and they look like they've been best mates for 20 years. And I see Car's relationship with Gary Neverly looked like the bemates for 20 years. >> I'm probably more close and friendly with you now than I ever was when I Played with you for 15 years.

So why didn't we connect when we were 20, 21, 22, 23? Was it ego? Was it rivalry? Was it why why are we all mature enough now and at stages in our life where we're closer and more connected now? Why couldn't we connect as England teammates back then? And I think it was down to the culture within England that we were all never connected >> all in our rooms too much. We never we wasn't friendly or connect. We wasn't a Team. >> We never at any stage become a real good strong team. >> Did you

enjoyed it? >> I didn't enjoy it. >> Hated the rooms. Um in in me early days I'd have days where I was down like low down like I'm in this room for seven hours. What am I going to do? There was no social media. No like >> didn't have a DVD player then. It was channel 1 to 5 or whatever it was. It Was I I used to get low and down. I used to love the games. I used to love playing for England. Really proud. I used to enjoy the training sessions but it was

90 minutes a day. >> Yeah. >> And then I was just on me in London >> or in >> the middle of nowhere, >> Romania or wherever. And I thinking I'm in this room from now till I have half an hour dinner till the next day. It was Like I didn't feel part of a team. I didn't feel connected with me teammates with England. >> I didn't feel that. With Liverpool, they were the best days of my life. When I used to go abroad with Liverpool or I used to go to an away game with

Liverpool, I felt part of a team. I felt like the staff looked over me like I felt special. I felt like I couldn't wait to get there with England. I just wanted the games and the training Sessions and then to be away. I think our problems was a number of problems, but the main ones was Liverpool, >> Man United, and Chelsea. >> Yeah, I I I'd agree with that. Um I felt like the last one or two days of the 10 days, we used you could feel a connection coming, but then you >> the games

would be done. >> That's true. >> Games would be done. >> There was a little bit more of a Connection during the tournament because you'd be living together a little bit more. >> Um but I I think Gad Southgate is underrated. for how he connected the England team >> because for me the talent was there, the talent was there, the players were there, the level of games we were all playing at was there to go and do better than what we did. I think we had a little bit of bad luck with the Penalties or

whatever. We have to take responsibility, but I've got a big frustration when I look back at England that we never done better. >> And I think it's a combination of different things, but one of the big things for me was we wasn't a team. No, >> we were a we were a group of individuals with talent and it never works like that. >> I felt there was an underlying like bitterness between us. >> Yeah. Bitterness, a little bit of hate, a little bit of hatred, a little bit of like, you know, we want to do

use. >> But when you think about it now looking back at the age I'm having gone through a bit of coaching, it's quite >> immature, isn't it? >> It's a bit It's a bit immature. But also, should should there have been more emphasis on the staff to go towards listen, >> you need to forget that now. mean to Connect from day one. More activities, more out of your rooms, more time together. Uh because I think if we' have been more of a team, more together and liked each other more, I think it would have come

out in the performances more. >> Yeah, I agree. Just to take you back like talking about what everyone talks about you in such glowing terms and I start I was thinking before I was sitting with you is like well when did you actually feel that you were going to Be a player? I think in terms of playing for Liverpool's first team, it I first realized I had a really good chance at 13 because I was offered a really long contract. I was offered the contract at 13, twoear school boys, two year apprentice, and a three-year

professional. So, I knew I knew at 13 I was going to get close all around the first team squad. But from a young age, I I I knew I was uh good enough to be in any game of football that I was put in. I've got an older brother who's 2 years older, so I was always around older kids getting knocked about, getting toughed up, getting beat a lot >> at different sports, table tennis, pool, snooker, uh in the street, whatever game you could play. Um and I got I suffered I took got tortured by

all old all older kids and me brother and um that made me more determined, more resilient, more stronger that shaped your mentality. >> Hated losing >> hated losing at any anything. >> Um and I think having the talent around that competitive gave me a good chance to go on the journey. >> Go on the journey. talking about losing and and not winning and not being able to win when you're a kid and your brother's really like putting the foot on your on on your neck a little bit as a kid. >> How did you ma

manage your was you Always good at managing your anger because you you >> No. No. And I think even during your career I I look back now and there's moments where I wish I managed it better where it got the better of me. Frustration. And >> you weren't a shout though, was you? You was You'd do something. >> Yeah. No, it be it' be an action. >> Yeah, >> it' be an action. I've never been I've Never been a shoutter and I'm not now. Um it'll be it'd be an action in football terms. So I'

it'd get the better of me. I'd go kick someone or I'd you know get it' be on the wrong side of um where where you need to be. And and I I look back and regret some of the things I've done. I came on against Manchester United once for 30 seconds. Got sent off. You helped me get sent off, didn't you? >> Did you? I said >> you like clue so w the ref you were good at that >> green card red card red card. >> Um so yeah I regret some of them moments them

red cards and stuff but I also think that it was that >> inner drive and resilience and competitive spirit that also helped me to be the player I was. >> And it's when you walk into that dressing room of first team players and There's big players in there like Robbie Fowler, Jamie Rednap at the time and others. Jamie's actually the first one who told me about you England. He said we got a kid coming free. you never believe what he's like, >> but what's your mindset going in there to try and put your your imprint

in in in their minds that I can play here? >> So, I went into the first team dressing room. Um, obviously Karen and Michael helped me a lot because I was around the Younger dressing room a little bit. So, they knew me a bit. Davy Tommo, Danny Murphy. They helped me a lot. >> Tom, the likes of Far McMman and Rednap, they were my heroes. I had their names on me shirts. I'd done their boots as an apprentice. I uh I couldn't have had any more respect going into the Liverpool's dressing room in terms of

them as people and players, but I I had something where I in my own mind and in my quieter times where I used to look at them and think, I'm coming for all of you. I had this thing where I'd be very polite and got nothing but respect for all them as people and guys, but I used to think I'm at this moment now where it's it's now or never for me. If I want to play for Liverpool for a long period of time and I want the career that I want to have, >> whoever's

there in my own every single day training, I'm thinking no one's getting in the way of me. >> I have to prove I'm better than Paul Lint, Jamie Rednap, Danny Murphy, and Dave Thompson. They were the four that I used to get in me car every morning and I think I've got to be better than them today. >> Would they have known that? I think they have felt it in training in terms of the me competing against them. They have felt it, but I've never said it to them. >> I don't think you'd have to

do that. I Think you'd have to prove it. >> Um, >> what what what about becoming a leader in the change room as well? Because obviously you become the captain of Liverpool. You're a Liverpool lad. You're a local kid. >> What what what how when you given the armband like that, what's that that feeling as a local kid? You've been on the terraces there watching your team. There's probably three numerous Occasions where I've had a feeling which has been unescribable. >> Um, lifting trophies is one of them. But go when I got called into the

office and Phil Thompson and Julie were there and they said to me, "You're going to be the full-time captain of Liverpool is one of the most special best feelings I've ever had in me life where your body just your outer body experience the hairs on your neck. >> You have this flush um incredible Feeling. um probably came a little bit young. I still had loads to learn. I didn't feel like I was that vocal leader that you probably needed to be >> to to to captain a Liverpool dressing room. But all the way through my

younger amateur teams and through the system at Liverpool, I think I tried to play in a certain way, in a certain style, that led >> that led that's the way I try and play. And I think that's what got me the Armband rather than um looking at me and going oh he's vocally ready or he's mature enough or experienced enough to be the captain of Liverpool. I think the way I played and me style gave me the opportunity. Then I had to grow learn on the job evolve and um having the likes of Rednap Samia

Jamie Cara them players and they helped me a lot >> in in the initial period. I've heard loads of players talk about being at Liverpool and under your kind of captaincy talking about they were actually in there trying to impress you more than the manager at sometimes. >> I'm not sure. I'm not sure that's the >> but but but did you ever feel that like cuz you've got I always say to my mates I've got loads of Liverpool supporters and mates. They always ask me about Steve. I say you know what forget being a footballer.

He actually has he's got quite an aura at sometimes. >> Yeah. But I think I, you know, I looking into the Manchester United dressing room from afar, I would probably say the likes of yourself, Roy Keane, definitely. Um, I'd say gigs, looking at gigs from afar, I would say, and even your Schozy, I'd say there's a core of players in every dressing room where a new signing has to impress and start well >> because you know as well as I do, we talk. The first thing me and you say if We're in the same dressing

room, say Liverpool for example, the player comes in, he has a nightmare in his first session where going you didn't start well or like Alonzo came in for example and just went bang. >> Yeah. >> First thing Ker comes in and goes, we got a player here. So we you have them conversations. So >> make quick judgments as well, don't you? And and I think the the core of any Dressing room, they have the respect and you know the feeling in the dressing room where I think new players and new signings or players coming through

the youth system, they should have to impress that cooler players. They should have to prove that they're good enough and that they're going to help the team and >> and and seeing the way that you you take over games at times and dominate games. I look at my career and think it's Probably like when I was 20 22 where I felt I could dominate an opponent quite consistently or get into a game where I don't feel like I'm going to be challenged because I'm really on it. When did you start feeling that that not invincible

but that real confidence in your performance? Well, I I in the early years I I was always compared to Roy Keane, your Patrick Fieras, and >> I was 19, 20, 21 probably when they were in their peak, I would say. And I didn't Really feel like a proper man at the time. I didn't feel like I was finished in terms of body development, in terms of the level I could get to or, you know, my full potential. Um, at times I found it hard against them >> at my age and where I was at at

me career because they were machines. >> Yeah. >> They were uh I'm not sure the exact ages of of what they are. But you knew if you play Played against Roy Keane or Patrick Vieira that you I I had to at that age I had to go above and beyond to to live with them or to try and on the day try and get the better of them. I had to go above and beyond where I was at at my career to to live with that level of player. >> Ju just quickly on them because

I think it's important because we see especially working on TV now and the younger generation probably wouldn't know and There actually there's there's probably a narrative that goes around the way are you just a kicker just a tackler? >> No. No. >> What would you how would you describe someone? >> I think I think football's in a place where you get more praise and respect now if you're a moment's player. M so for example you score a good goal or you get an assist and it's stats and it's you know oh he's got 10 assists

and 10 Goals and blah blah blah but if you look at the detail of um a performance in and out of possession leadership all the components blah blah blah there's not many better than Keane >> when I judge a midfielder um he was always in the right position he was tough he was physically um top in terms of being able to get about recovery runs. He was tough in terms of physicality. Um he could run past you. >> He could recover and get back. Um his short game was underrated in my opinion cuz he could

break lines with his passing. He could change the play. He could run off. Yeah. I think he had all the components. I think obviously he scored a lot of important goals at key times. That's how I judge a midfielder. I judge a midfielder on everything. A 90-minute performance over a season, over a period of time. There's not many better than we can. >> It's mad cuz we we obviously chat on text every now and again and I remember you talking about Yaya Toué, another midfielder. He sometimes goes out the conversation of the the top midfielders

in the in the Premier League. Someone like him like what did you find him hard to play against? Did you find him? I I think he'd he'd have moments in the game that I'd find hard to to contain because if he if he went to gear five, if you like, and decided he was going to go and Burst past you or um try and drive past you or pass and run past you, I think Yay was one of the most toughest opponents to stop. He would have two or three moments in the game that could

be unstoppable if you like. But over the over the 90 minutes, if you stop them two, three moments or stick with them two, three moments, >> I'm comfortable >> with that. A Roy Keane or a Patrick Vier over 90 minutes is different than that. >> Is different than that. >> Nice. I like that. So, what about in today's generation? You I just I'm on this topic of great midfielders. Who are you looking at now in today's game and going that that's the level that I'm used to playing against and that I I respect? >> Uh

in the Premier League. >> Yeah, I I think Declan Rice is a really really good midfielder. >> Um I like an awful lot about him. I like The kid. I like his mentality. I like the way he's gone to the next level at Arsenal. He's adding different things to his game. Um, I think he's he'd be a really tough, strong opponent, good challenge. >> Um, Jude Bellingham if he was in the Premier League. I' I'd love to go toe-to-toe with him. I really think that would be interesting and good. >> They're the they're the two

best at the moment. I' I'd say from a from an English point of view, >> there's certain midfielders that I I didn't really enjoy playing against. Um, >> like the Barcelona type midfielder. Um, >> I've been there as well. >> When they're collectively together, um, >> when you when it's my style and you want to really go and leave a stamp on someone and get close to someone and blah blah blah, them together, they were really difficult to play against. Bus gets, Javi, and Yester. I mean, what a Blend of a midfield. And I look

at like the likes of Pedri now and >> these type of players. Um, >> they they were the most difficult challenge for me. But the ones like your keen vieieras, people who you could get go toe to toe and get close to and have have a tear up with, >> you don't really see that much now, do you? Where it's like it's me against you. >> I'm not sure I could be Respected as well as I got respected during my career now in today's game. I think it's changed. It's a more technical game. >> It's

a more academy based game, tactical. >> What do you mean academy? What's that mean? Like >> technical? I thinkmies are more technical now. The rules of the game have have moved. have evolved where you know I look I look at my battles Against some of the the players um lamps in Champions League battles Schoy where you could try and leave a stamp on them they'd try and leave a stamp on me vier SC where it would be as we were talking about the box in a toeto toe like 90minute battle over the course of the

game >> yeah that that that drill might actually determine the game it doesn't really happen like that >> it could set a tone or blah blah blah >> now now for me the rules tackle 's not as thing or leaving a stamp or physicality, you know. Um it's it's a more friendlier atmosphere. It's a more safer game. >> Um I like football the generation before that that for me, but that's the generation I played in. For me now, it's a little bit more technical. You get booked for nothing now. >> You can go off a

football pitch for Nothing. >> You could get a few more red cards. And that's what would concern me now. Could I be the Steven Gerard that played in our generation? Could that could that be now? I'm not I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'd have to adapt. >> I'd have to adapt and I think it'd take a lot away from my style. >> Talking about your style, >> I think Scholsey now >> would be a joke. >> Hands down would be the best midfielder in the Premier League. Fact. >> Do you think that? Yeah, >>

I do. Yeah. Because Scholoy for me was very much a in possession controller of a midfield controller of a game. >> Yeah. can switch the play. You get close and he could pop it around you. He can play at the outside of his foot. He can switch the play. Score important goals for make the last pass. Scholies thing for me was can you get him doing The other side of the game >> running the other way. >> Can you take him the other way? Can you be physical with him? Um he'll get booked against you.

These type of things you could you could maybe try and get the better of him the other way. But >> I'm not sure in the stage game you could leave one on Skooly for example. So he would have he would have everyone terrorized in the Premier League. I'm telling you right now, he would have Everyone terrorized in the Premier League now. He'd be the best midfield in the Premier League now. Hands down. I probably wouldn't. >> I think you're doing yourself a disservice. I got to be honest. >> I probably wouldn't because on the pitch.

>> Yeah, that might be a big issue, but >> for long enough, >> you get what I mean, though. >> Yeah. Sko is a type. If you can't get Near him and affect him like you're saying and get your hands on him or make him do other parts of the game, >> he'd have a huge influence on the game. >> Yeah. Exactly. >> Um, just talking about styles and and and bits and bobs about people's identity as a player. What What is it in your game do you think is probably an undervalued element of your

game that people don't really talk about as much? >> Yeah, >> I think I was quicker than what people think in terms of covering ground like recovery runs or bursting past people or running without the ball. Uh I was probably slightly quicker than what people give me credit for >> 100%. >> And that went towards the back end of me career. Um >> it leaves us all >> and I think that's what the reason why maybe Brendan tried to shape me more Into a deeper >> sky type midfielder more of a controller playing from a

bit deeper. But when I was in me prime years and I felt really good and physically good, I had like a a rangy stride that could cover the ground quick going both ways. >> Where where was the best Steven Gerard? >> Uh I I would say five 2005 to seven was really good. I had I was injuryfree for quite a bit of it. >> And what position was you playing then? >> Rafford had tactically got me in a really good place as well. I think in me early years I was a bit of a free

spirit maybe lost me position a little bit too much but got a lot of rewards from doing that by taking a lot of risk and gambling a lot but Rafa really got me to understand the tactical side of the game more game intelligence different IQ >> so from 4 to 7 I felt really strong >> um can't really remember the period after 7 but then I had a period around 9 10 and 11 where I felt really good as I think one player. >> Yeah, I'd become more a little bit more behind behind Torres. >>

Um I had Alonzo Mascarano behind me >> and that spine of that team was really good. >> How did that team not win like >> cuz of Hughes? >> Yeah. >> If you stayed together, >> we should have won a league. >> So there's there's an element of us >> when you name them players like that when you start going >> we had we had that spine was just good enough good enough. Obviously 2014 again um that one still haunts me of course I say it a lot but even before that I think we should

have we should have just we should have picked one we should have got one but for us we had Fergie and the United team the the class of 92 that were all top Premier League players That it's not luck but >> we never had that at Liverpool where seven or eight were that level >> uh and Then United were spending on like the likes of yourself and Vanto Roy. They obviously had a natural leader in Keen. >> They had a freaking gigs. We we we only really had one 30 million pound player that was the

superstar at Liverpool. Y Torres. Um then it became Suarez. But we only Really had one superstar. It was Michael was the Fowler. In my time Fowler was the superstar when I came in. Then we had Michael was the superstar. Torres came in after a bit of a low where we didn't have a superstar Torah. Then it became Suarez. I always felt Manchester United always had three or four superstars and then the class of >> Yeah. The solid ones around it. >> The solid ones around it. >> Was you was you ever like when you look

Back >> I never ever felt our Liverpool team was as strong as >> you. I always felt like we had to go above and beyond to get a result against you. That's how it used to feel. You talked about the spine though that team and you named them players there. Alonzo, Mascarano, yourself, Torres and Le. >> That was that was built. That was the closest we we'd come. >> Did you I'm just going on in that. Was you frustrated maybe at times about elements of the recruitment? I'm not asking you to name names, but elements

of the recruitment to actually enhance that little that that spine that you already had in in the club. >> Well, yeah, we got recruitment badly wrong at times. >> Badly wrong at times. Um, I'll give you one example. Um we had the chance to sign Nicholas and Elka or Elaj and we bought Elad J on the back of a four, five game period in a World Cup >> when we could have bought someone on the back of five, six years. >> Um that was a decision I don't know who made the final decision. Um, that

was one example of us as a club getting it wrong because that is one of the biggest mismatches You could debate. >> And that's you for Nicholas and Elka. That is >> and Elk is one of the hardest players I played against. One of those top three hardest I played against. >> Yeah. And and he he came into our sessions and Ela coolest man ever. Calm, relaxed. you just knew he had that aura and that confidence in himself that he was ready to win. >> He was ready to help Liverpool win more Or get closer

to you guys or wherever it was and and Elka was coming in and he was a level above was a level above and then a decision was made and it honestly it it was it was a complete mismatch. That was one example I'll give you where I couldn't believe what was happening. >> Just to talk take you back, we we spoke about Manchester United and and Liverpool. Um that rivalry and I was a Londoner coming up to Manchester. I didn't realize what that the fire between the two clubs. What did it mean to you that

rivalry? >> Uh I don't want to play it play it up too much or I've never ever play it down. I think it is what it is. It was there well before me and you. it'll be here forever. Um, you've got two huge institutions that are built on success. >> Um, two ginormous fan bases. Um, >> proud fan bases as well. >> Yeah. Unbelievable. Um, and obviously there's this rivalry and blah blah blah, but similar in terms of, you know, the where the stadiums are, the surrounding areas, blah blah blah. what it means to you

your your person that saves up and and buys a ticket and goes and supports the team. There's a lot of similarities in in in both clubs. So, >> you can't play it down, but at the same time, I don't want to sit here like this Big hero who >> tries to make out that it's >> bigger than it is. It was a huge, very important game of football that meant >> the world and everything to me in that moment. M um >> is there a moment you remember that stands out for you in them games?

>> Yeah. Well, listen, in my first early Manchester United games, we we were tortured >> playing against Andy Cole, York, Beckham, Giggs, Skoles, Keane, that team would come to even Anfield and and would be a level above the team that I first broke into. Um so, a lot of hurt and a lot of pain in the early things. Um and then there was a game where we came to Old Trafford and I think Danny Murphy scored the winning goal and we hadn't Yeah. the free kick. Yeah. But we also I think we got a result

as well. I played the pass to Danny Murphy and he lobbed the keeper. I think Bart says was in Goal at the time. So we starting to get a bit of confidence and belief. Um and we were growing and building into a better team. Um but it it's it's sort of brought into you from being a local a lot earlier than when you play at first team level. So I'd have played against >> Richie Wellens, Wes Brown, um who you have played with earlier on 13, 14, 15, >> John Curtis, all these we' have played

against all them in the youth team. So >> we have been well primed more than you Coming in as a signing to United. So it was always fix your lists, whatever age group, when are we playing Everton, when are we playing Manchester United? >> Just on on on that rivalry, I remember Rafa Bonitz, the rant he had that time in a press conference. >> What was the impact on you? Cuz the impact on us was like we were on bikes in the in the the gym and we see it come up and it's interesting when

you see like almost like soap opera things start Happening on on the news and the impact it can have in a change room. We were kind of like lifted >> by that. And I'd like to see what what was that? >> I got an SMS. I think it was SMS at the time >> on the BlackBerry. >> James Car before the interview had finished. >> Who's >> and um I think I was actually typing one Out to him at the same time. Raf Rafa's world class >> and he's brilliant. He's brilliant for me in terms

of development, personal one-to-one stuff. quite a cold manager at times, but in terms of tactical and the quote the best I I work with, but I think that was a mistake. >> I understood why he was what he was trying to do and what you know these mind games at that level >> when you're in the managing seat is Different. It's different. You know, you're trying to manage the press in a different way. But being in the players shoes at that time, I don't think it was necessary >> cuz I was thinking the Manchester United

lads and Alex Ferguson were rubbing their hands together. >> Oh, you thought that at the time? >> Was that true? >> Yeah. >> There you go. >> We were like punching the air if I'm honest on the bikes going like he's gone. He's gone. >> And and Fergie was the master at that. >> Um >> but I I I think we were in a good place at that time. We were in a good place and I think it was probably the most nervous would have been 100% concerned at that time >> and that spine was

coming that you spoke about. We were growing, we were Building, we we were getting closer. Um I just don't think it was necessary. That was my own personal opinion. >> Was that would that be something you'd have mentioned to him at the time? No. No. >> No. I wouldn't um I'd always have the respect of a manager and a coach to let him do it his way and blah blah blah. But if he' said to me, "What did you think it means to you?" I just said I don't think there's any need for it. >>

Some players go through a career and and and finish a career and they've had a very good career, sometimes top level career, but there's never a moment where people go that was the moment. You've had countless moments from Champions League winners, FA Cup winners, the lot. What what is your most memorable moment or one or two moments that you look back on and go that was the >> I always I always felt my my good moment came off the back of a setback or a Moment where that wasn't so good maybe an injury or maybe

um a bad game or a bad moment. I used to always reset me. I was always re really good at resetting and then just people listening to this sometimes when you get a bit of pain in your career or a setback. I was really good at using as motivation to go and achieve something good and big. >> Um Istanbul will always be the night and and and the moment. Um >> did you just did was there something in you that made you feel like you you kind of what happened? Was there something in the game,

a trigger, a moment where it was like switched on? I'm going to take over the game. >> A bit of fear of losing would always come in. I I used to always before games or preparing for games, I used to always get like this. Oh man, imagine if we lose or what it's going to feel like to lose. >> Um I used to always have to control and and fight back >> in terms of like no point worrying about it now. Let's let's get the show on the road and let's get the battle going. But

with with ingame, it was always imagine what it'd feel like to go out of this competition. Imagine what it'd feel like to lose these three points. And it was that that used to drive me on. >> So, I'm going to do this. >> Even more than the imagine what it like To win this or, you know, it'd be more like, oh, it I'd always have that fear and that um >> I'm not sure fear is the right word, but I'd always want to >> push to to not >> Yeah. >> not experience that. Totally. >>

In football, it's the worst feeling. Being injured and losing is the worst part of your career. >> The worst part. >> I I totally get what you're saying. I I never The moment I started thinking about what the feeling is going to be like when I win, it never happened. >> It was more the the I can't lose this. We can't imagine, like you say, imagine if we do lose this walking down the street. >> I think that's the the part that people from the outside don't really get is like that pressure, that responsibility, especially

when you're playing for the Big clubs because there's no rest from it. You you spoke about when you've you've had setbacks or negative things. Pep Guardiola said the best players in game >> are able to delete setbacks or a bad moment in a game and move on. >> Is that what one of the things you alluding to as well there? >> Not all the time. Not all the time cuz I had some bad moments and found it really hard to recover from them mentally and And within the game. Um I I suppose um I used

to work a lot on volume in terms of my moments like just keep going and go and go and go and just keep going. Um but yeah, I I I suppose when I did become the captain of Liverpool, I went to the next level in terms of that, wanting it more, pushing more, fighting more, not giving up more. I suppose with age, with the responsibility that I Think I went to the next level with that >> but I I couldn't always do it. um made some high really high-profile mistakes that I couldn't couldn't recover from,

not through not wanting to or trying. Um it just it just wasn't to be. Um but there was a lot of times where I could and um thankfully I had that talent or that drive or that >> that force if you like to just keep going and going and going and going. >> Yeah. just sitting here listening to You, I knew anyway. But then sitting here, it just comes even more apparent that the that feeling of losing is like it's a terrible you can't almost put it into words how much it means to to you

as an individual. >> Just to go back to the point when the moment when you did slip in that game. Is that some what is that something that comes up in your mind a lot? Because bad things happened to me in my career, they come in my mind more than any good Thing. >> Uh I'm not sure what comes up the most. I feel good speaking about the good stuff. Istanbul, Olympia, the FA Cup, you know, England. Anyway, anyway, you feel great. >> And when I do interviews or I see a clip on the telly

or blah blah blah and I see a back pass I gave away for England or um I underperform for England, missed a Penalty for England, feel >> The Chelsea thing is exactly the same. >> It makes me feel It is what it is. I've got to live with it. I've managed it. I control it. Does it pop up every day? Like, no, it doesn't. Do I have to accept it and be man enough? Yeah, I can't change it. >> But all the moments I have in me career, they rear themselves every now and again, >>

but so does the good stuff. So, I have To take the rough with the smood. But I hate losing football matches. I hate underachieving. And I sit here now still here by not winning the Premier League. Not that, not just that year, every single year I competed in it >> because I felt at Liverpool Football Club being the captain, I should have delivered that. So I have to take the responsibility and own that. >> But I don't overink about individual moments, good or bad. I just deal with Them as and when they come up. But

they do come in and out of me thoughts because >> suppose because I'm human. talking on fast forward on to to coaching. Um what what have you enjoyed most about coaching? Because when I've I've spoken to you and I've seen you and people have asked me, "Oh, Stevie is a I swear to you, you were one of the players. Frank's the same. Wayne's the same. >> You wouldn't have been the top five picks in in the dress room. I had top 10 picks." >> I think I think when I played with you, if you'd have

said to me, Jack, can you do a bit of coaching or management? I'd probably say, "I doubt it. >> I doubt it." I say Carowwood. >> Yeah. >> Um I'd also say maybe Frankwood very intelligent or you get the impression he's very intelligent in Terms of like you know studying the game or what have you. Danny Murphy would have been another one you know always interested in that side of the game. So, as a player, I'd have probably said no. But see, when I stopped playing football, it was a big void for me. And even

though I knew me body was ready to pack in, um, feelings and blah blah blah, and I couldn't really be the player I wanted to be. So, I was probably ready at the time, >> missed it every single day. And I still miss it now as a player. Um, and I qualified to do me badges when I went into me 30s and end up getting me pro license. Went into the pool academy. enjoyed a lot of that. Um, but it was the it was the managing side of it that I enjoyed the onetoone motivating players,

seeing that I could make a difference with a player to to get more out of that individual player. Um, and then I got the opportunity to to go to Rangers and I loved it. >> Rangers, I felt like it was the perfect match. Um and it and it went it went on from there, but it was the competing and the missing being a footballer daily, the routine, the being in the dressing room and the day-to-day routine. That was the void that um and what I still live with today is I miss that when I'm not

in full-time football. I miss that void. >> Well, when you're in full-time football And you you you was in the midst of it, what what what was you seeing in terms of like players and the the desires, the the habits, etc. What was you seeing as as going well as a player? It's really changed. >> The fascinating thing fascinating thing for me was um I think the generation that I've been coaching in recently last what seven or eight years is very different to the generation of us and the generation before I would Say. Um so

it's been fascinating for me to try and adapt a little bit and and and you know try and be in in the now um in terms of managing the individual and trying to get the best out of the individual. Um it's slightly different than how I used to manage players as a captain if you like because you could be a bit more >> honest, a bit more forceful if you like. Um, and I've really enjoyed the the journey So far. Of course, I've had a couple of tough moments and lost me job at Aston Villa,

which was really tough because I found the the last six or seven games >> really tough cuz I felt like I couldn't pull it back and it's frustration. Frustrating when you're in that position when you're doing your best, you're even doing more. >> You're you're working harder. you're doing more and you just can't pull it back because you know that the the Dressing room is maybe not going to help you pull it back. >> That was tough. Um Saudi experience I've loved it. I've loved it because I got the opportunity to really coach and learn

and um >> away from the spotlight almost as well in terms of >> different type of pressure different type of pressure. Still had a club that wanted to win and still demanding but a different type of demand. more of a Supportive type of demand where you can evolve and and grow as a coach and living away. Um because I was in Liverpool for such a long time and really enjoying that different different cultures and taking myself and me family out out of the comfort zone. >> The the villa thing was really tough at the end

because >> the first six months of Villa I felt like we had control of it and we were we had Villa where maybe we should have had Them. I think the stats if you like were saying that we had them in the top eight, nine teams in the league from taking them at 17. So we were really in a good place but I lost control of it quickly and it deteriorated quickly and I found it hard to get it back. That was tough and frustrating. >> Um but look, this is the the the different the

difference from being a player to a manager. It's a completely different role. >> You can impact the game, can't you? >> It's a completely different role. You're managing a dressing room. managing characters and personalities and um the three different groups that I've had have all been different >> in in you know different characteristics, different um different groups, very different. >> Um so it's been fascinating to manage and coach them three different groups. But um I've loved it so far. I'd love Another go at some point. Um, I want to change a few things and improve

a few things and come back fresh with a few different people around myself. I' I'd love another couple of challenges doing this. Um, and that's what I'm working on in the background at the moment. A few different ideas, a few different people around me. >> How do you do that? You like interview a few people or have coffees with a few speak to people off the record in Private. get a feel for where that I'll the the first thing I try and do is um I know where I'm strong and I know there's areas where

I need good support and I need special skill sets to make me better and stronger in terms of my staff and and my group. I felt like I had that to a tea at Rangers >> add it to a tea. uh a lot of coach changes um at Aston Villa and uh over in Saudi that I don't think helped me from a personal point of view. Um so yeah, Now enjoying family time and doing a lot of things that I haven't been able to do like going to Grand Prix, doing >> exhibition games with ex

teammates and and superstars. That type of stuff's been great. But >> there's a part of me that still feels that there's a bit of unfinished business in terms of wanting to go in and face another couple of exciting challenges. But I want a certain type of challenge. If in an ideal world they They come available, I'll jump at them. If they don't, I won't go back in. I want to be at a team that's going to compete to win because I think that suits me better. >> It's funny cuz Michael Owens spoke about that on

an interview as well, didn't he? He spoke about players going in >> at levels where is like not they're not accustomed to being >> if you're going in the championship or you're going in. >> It's tough. It's tough. It's it's a it's a tough gig. Every job's challenging and tough. I'm sure it is. every manager will probably tell you the same thing. >> Do you think you'll be better if a team like that would >> I think certain jobs and certain clubs would suit my style and the way >> um I I I like to

to go about it, >> but I've also got time now where I'm not in a rush where I know the right people that are out there to make me a stronger And a better coach. M >> they're the people I need to find because if I get that the right match with them people around me, >> I know and I've proved I can be successful as a manager and that's what I'm working on in in the background now. >> But I've had five or six really interesting phone calls since I stopped in Saudi >> and

I haven't been ready because I haven't got that team set around me and The timing hasn't been right. My daughter's just had a baby. I just become my granddad. I wasn't ready. I haven't got me staff ready. So, unfortunately, them opportunities or them phone calls have come at the wrong time, >> if you like. But if the right call comes my way, the right club, the right challenge, and I've got my people set, which I will have at some point, >> I'll take that challenge on because it's In me. >> It's in me. >> Well,

good luck. I can't wait for that to happen. Talking of managers, >> if it doesn't, you're going to have to put up me for a bit longer away from me. >> Every week, don't worry about that. Um, Chabonzo, >> player or coach or human? as a manager, what are you what are you did you expect that? >> I I I'm not surprised by his rise and Where he's at because as a player, student of the game, um very clever, spoke sense, understood the game, all facets of the game, in and out of possession. It was

like you're playing with a coach when you played with him, but not in not in a busy way. We've played with players or you think Yoi can talk a good game and they don't shut up in dressing rooms and you're looking at each other going this fell. You can listen to Jabi all day long. He was a Coach in a player's body if you like >> and Rafford will tell you that >> the reason he brought Jabi to Liverpool was he was Rafford in because he knew it all. His dad was an ex-player coach all

this stuff. So, no surprise, delighted for him as a human being, top as a player, top and I'm sure if he continues the way he's going, he's going to be a top manager as well. He's already proved in a short space of time he's been extremely good. >> Just where now he's obviously at Real Madrid. Just want to get your just thoughts before we go on Trent. He's a local lad, a bit of a mirrored career in terms of coming through the system, boyhood club, becoming successful there, and then his decision obviously to go to

Real Madrid. What was your what was your what side of the fence would you set on? >> Well, if it take me Liverpool at on I I think any player in the game when Barcelona and Real Madrid come uh it's going to turn your head. This is me speaking without me Liverpool hat on at the moment. >> Uh Real Madrid came for me with Mourinho serious >> and it's hit me head. It didn't get as much traction and noise as Chelsea because um it was shut down pretty quick because of the timing of it and

what Real Madrid wanted me to do to >> manufacture that. >> So it never got the traction or the noise. >> But it hit me head. It hit me head for sure. It's Real Madrid. So without Liverpool at on Real Madrid and and Barcelona, whether you like it or not, if you're a night fan, Liverpool fan, blah blah, they're two humongous clubs. And when they come, it's going to turn your head. No matter who you are, it's going to turn your head. Or you're not, You're not human. They're going to turn your head. >> That's

true. >> Um, so I can understand it from being in Trent shoes. I can understand it. I get it. His best mate players there. Um, maybe wants to challenge himself. He's won everything at Liverpool. So there there's a part of me that really understands it, but as soon as I put my Liverpool hat back on, I think, what are You doing? >> What are you doing? You're at arguably one of the best teams in Europe. You're winning. You're winning things that I sit here and now and still dream of winning. You're winning European Cups. You're

one of the main men. The fans adore you. >> What are you doing? >> But this would be Liverpool on cuz I love Liverpool Football Club. So, >> do you agree with the stick he got there? >> I understand it. >> I understand it. And you you know the stick you got. So what? >> I got it. The next person that flirts with Real Madrid or Barcelona or blah blah, they're going to get stick. We we we play a game with millions and millions of people that are paying good money or they're all on you're

going to get a bit of stick. >> You're going to get a bit of stick. >> It is what it is. The stick that goes above the line. I don't agree with the abuse or I don't agree with that with any player. That's not for me. That's just a load of bollocks >> that's got to stop. But constructive criticism from a fan who's paying money and buying your shirt and blah blah blah. They deserve to have an opinion. They're the same people that were like watching Trent's goals on the phone, Blah blah blah, or you

know, spending three grand to go to >> Barcelona >> Dortmund to see Trent score a free kick. They're the same people that adore him that are spending 90 quid on a You got to accept it. Just get on with it. It is what it is. >> That is constructive >> opinions in football that you have to get on with. You have to accept. Just get on with it. And he has. He has. >> You know, I just think he took a big risk on. He's an extremely good footballer. Very talented footballer. One of the best

passers I've ever seen. And I've played with some good passes. >> Mhm. He's up there with them. He's in the conversation with Beckham's goals. >> No problem. >> Um, but to leave Liverpool Football Club where he was at in the prime years Getting off of the new contract, >> he to he he took a risk on in my opinion and I think he's living that risk now. I hope it works for him cuz I love the kid. >> Love the kid to bits. >> I wouldn't have done it. >> He didn't do it. >> But

he's good enough to make it work. He's good enough to make it work. I I wouldn't have done it. >> Before we go, I got to ask you. It's Probably the biggest question and if you want me to start a petition, I will. When's when's the Steven Gerard statue going up? I've seen loads of statues around. Where's yours? >> There's enough There's enough respect and I think the club have done gone above and beyond for me. If you knew what that club had done for me, not through me career, from the moment I stopped being

a Liverpool player, if if you knew the respect that that club Would give me, it blow your mind. >> It blow your mind. The phone calls I I've had from the top, >> the things that they've done for me, family, the invitations, the the the care, the the afterplayer respect that I've had off that club blow your mind. >> Blow your mind. Um, I don't need the statue to feel a love off Liverpool. There's enough. There's been enough. My respect for Liverpool has only gone Stronger and thicker and more fonder since the day I retired

>> because in my mind, I thought you just fizzled into the Liverpool Football Club have gave me more love and care and respect since I've stopped playing for them. >> It's a good answer, Stevie. Top man. waited a long time to get you, man. It was worth the wait. >> I still decided to put this one off. >> Thanks, man. Appreciate it. Top top Draw. >> You won't struggle an interview when you go for a job. I'll tell you that. hell. [Music] Heat. Hey. Hey. Hey. [Music]