The soccer gods should reward Steven Gerrard for his talent and loyalty to Liverpool with a Premier League championship, according to Zinedine Zidane.
The French soccer legend praised Gerrard’s career, saying his efforts over the last 16-plus seasons warrant a Premier League title.
“He has had a great career winning many things — but it would be a big shame for him if he was never to win the league with Liverpool,” Zidane said, according to the Mail. “For everything that he has given — he deserves a league title.”
Gerrard, 33, has led the club to the Premier League’s summit this season, and the Reds will claim the 2013-14 championship — their first since 1990 — if they win their four remaining games.
Gerrard has worn the captain’s armband since 2003, and he has never been this close to a domestic triumph. Liverpool’s success this season is partly down to Gerrard curtailing his all-action style of play and embracing his new role as a holding midfielder.
Zidane said Gerrard’s intangibles more than make up for any erosion of his physical qualities.
“His legs are not going to be what they were five or six years ago — but his presence and leadership are invaluable for Liverpool.”
Zidane, a three-time FIFA World Player of the Year and FIFA World Cup winner in 1998, also lauded Gerrard’s decision to remain with his boyhood club through the years, despite drawing interest from teams that won more.
“He could have played for any team in Europe — but he turned them down,” Zidane said. “That sort of loyalty should be rewarded with a title.”
Zidane now is an assistant coach at Real Madrid, but it’s apparent that he too will be rooting for Gerrard and Liverpool in their title chase.
Photo via Liverpoolfc.com
