Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard recently gave an interview on The Overlap, the show hosted by Gary Neville and others, where he talked about relevant topics and situations.
What do you think of your England career?
It was somewhat frustrating; so many chances were missed. I loved representing England, loved playing, loved training, loved competing alongside all the top players. But I hated the hotels and the training camps.
There were clear cliques early on — a table for Manchester United, one for Arsenal, one for Liverpool. I was young then and felt intimidated by legends like Shearer and Adams. Later on, fewer and fewer Liverpool players got called up.
I never felt it was an England team that could win trophies. I thought it was just a group of individuals. Too many players only cared about their own performances and scoring goals; there was far too much ego. Club rivalries really seeped into the England squad. Gareth Southgate has done a much better job recently.
How to solve the coexistence issue between you and Frank Lampard?
Maybe neither of us was a real 'Makelele type' of player. Neither of us was willing to sit deep and do the dirty work. Every manager tried to figure it out. I think we needed a manager brave enough to leave one of us out, to pick the right players, the right system and the right tactics.
Were you 'a Liverpool player first, an England player second'?
One hundred percent. Liverpool came first. My dad always said: ‘Liverpool is your club. If you get picked for England, that’s great. You want to play for England. I loved playing for England. But Liverpool always came first.’
Has the relationship between Liverpool players and the England squad always been tense?
Michael Owen is a perfect example. He was almost 'respected but not loved' by Liverpool fans, who felt he had become 'England’s player' — 'He’s our player, not yours. You’re just borrowing him.' Liverpool is that kind of city and club, with a 'us against the world' mentality.
What was your greatest moment?
Obviously the Champions League final. But in terms of individual performance, that 'autopilot' display in the FA Cup final was also very special.
Do you regret never winning the Premier League title?
I still crave it, even today. But I have to accept it. But just think — playing for your boyhood club and going on that journey with them was incredible. They were the best days of my life.
