Brendan Rodgers backs Daniel Sturridge to prove worth

Striker primed for new campaign after making injury comeback

Brendan Rodgers has urged Daniel Sturridge to prove he is one of the top strikers in England – with the player vowing he is ready to start the new campaign after making his comeback from injury.

Sturridge made his first appearance of pre-season in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Celtic in Dublin having been sidelined by an ankle problem suffered while on England duty in May.

The 23-year-old netted 11 goals in 16 appearances last season having made a £12million move from Chelsea in January.

And Rodgers has challenged the forward to further realise his long-touted potential – which will be required in the ongoing absence of Luis Suarez.

“I think Daniel is aware of the opportunity in front of him,” said the Liverpool manager. “There were maybe teething problems when he came in in January but once he got his head around that and the demands of playing at a big club regularly then he was terrific.

“He has wanted to be in this position – leading the attack for a big club with everything that brings – and it is just now about making himself available as much as he can.

“I am sure that this season he can demonstrate that is a top striker.”

Sturridge was lively during a 45-minute cameo against Celtic and will have a further chance to improve his fitness in a behind closed doors game later this week ahead of Saturday’s Premier League opener at home to Stoke City.

“He was in really good form at the end of last season which got him called up for England and it was unfortunate that he got a bad injury, but I can have no complaints at how he has worked,” added Rodgers.

“We will have a behind closed doors game for him this week when the others are on international duty just to keep those who are not away ticking over and for those, like him, who need games.

“It is about getting Daniel up to speed. He is actually ahead of schedule coming back.”

Sturridge, though, is already confident he can be called upon to lead the line from the start for the visit of the Potters.

“I'm fit and good to go,” he said. “If I'm selected against Stoke then I'll be ready.

“I didn't think I'd be as sharp as I was, to be honest, so I'm happy! I would have loved to have scored and marked my return with a goal, but the important thing was to leave the pitch healthy with no injury or anything.

“I'm delighted to be back. I want to say thanks to the physio, Matt (Konopinski), and the fitness coach, Jordan (Milsom), for all the hard work they've done with me.

“It's been a long road – a bumpy one at that – but I'm delighted to be back out there and I'm thankful to God for healing my injury so quickly because I wasn't sure I'd be back for the start of the season.”

Of his lengthy rehabilitation, Sturridge added: “It's been very difficult, to be honest. You want to be involved in pre-season and you want get your sharpness, get to know your new teammates, be able to work and get your peak fitness.

“I've not been able to do that – I've been at Melwood and I haven't been doing much running.

“There were some days where my ankle would hurt or I'd feel more tired than I usually would. It's been a bumpy road but we've put the work in

Luis Suarez ready to sign new Liverpool contract

Liverpool's resolve to keep Luis Suarez at Anfield this season has been given an amazing boost by a high profile journalist who claims that the striker personally informed him that he is willing to sign a new contract with the Merseyside club.

Suarez had been grabbing the headlines for quite some time now with reports linking him to Arsenal and Real Madrid emerging daily.

Liverpool were seemingly bound to lose out on their star striker this season but the mercurial Uruguayan has performed an amazing U-turn and is ready to commit his future to Liverpool.

Martin Charquero, who works for GolTV Latin American, has come out on Twitter saying that the Liverpool star had himself informed him that he would stay at the club this season.

He tweeted: "Luis Suarez confirms to me he will not leave Liverpool. The support of the fans has influenced his ­decision.

"Suarez see it as likely that he'll sign a renewal (extension) to the contract that binds him to Liverpool."

Suarez had been looking for an exit from Anfield for the entire summer with the hopes of playing in the Champions League this season.

Arsenal and Real Madrid were the clubs most linked with the player but Liverpool were adamant that their star forward was not for sale and now the player seems to have accepted the fact that he will have to spend the upcoming season with Liverpool without Champions League football.

Liverpool talisman Steven Gerrard had said on Tuesday that the club would do everything to keep hold of their striker and it looks like Liverpool will now succeed in their attempt.

Gerrard said to reporters: "It's very important (Suarez stays). He is one of the best players in the world.

"I can understand why clubs are showing an interest in him.

"If I can use my influence to try to get him to stay then of course I will because I love playing with him and I don’t want him to go.

"For Liverpool to be successful and move forward we have to keep our best players."

JAPAN'S BIGGEST NEWS AGENCY QUOTES LIVERPOOL'S SUAREZ: "I DIDN'T SAY THAT"

Kyodo News, Japan's leading news network, are now reporting that Luis Suarez has denied saying that he now wants to stay at Liverpool, as reported earlier today.

talkSPORT reported within the last couple of hours that Suarez confirmed after Uruguay's match against Japan this afternoon that he didn't say he wanted to stay at Liverpool and now Kyodo have repoorted it and backed it up with a direct quote from Suarez himself.

According to reports in his native Uruguay earlier today, Suarez appeared to have made a sensational U-turn and said that he now wanted to stay at Liverpool as the loyalty of the Liverpool fans had won him round but Kyodo quote Suarez as saying: "I didn't say that, maybe someone else did and the main thing is that I am here now with the national team."


The controversial striker was back in action up front for his home nation against Japan earlier this afternoon and he scored Uruguay's third goal as they cruised to a 4-2 win.

The Suarez saga has been rumbling along all summer with the player seemingly determined to leave the Anfield club and trying hard to force a move to Arsenal. Uruguayan newspaper El Observador reported this morning that Suarez had now decided to stay at Liverpool.

Suarez apparently told El Observador: "For now, due to all of the people's affection (for me), I will be staying."

Uruguayan journalist Martin Chaquero also claimed he had been told Liverpool will keep their star man.

"Luis Suarez confirms to me he will not leave Liverpool. The support of the fans has influenced his decision," Chaquero said.

"Suarez see it as likely that he'll sign a renewal (extension) to the contract that binds him to Liverpool."

Chaquero later tweeted: "Sources close to Luis Suarez have confirmed his decision to stay at Liverpool."

But in the latest twist to this summer's top transfer drama, Kyodo have clearly reported that Suarez confirmed after Uruguay's match against Japan this afternoon that he didn't say he wanted to stay at Liverpool.

Sky Sports News (SSN) have also reported Suarez's alleged denial of his eralier comments.


Luis Suarez and Martin Chaquero were quoted in El Observador and Kyodo.

Liverpool set to sign Granada star Guilherme Siqueira after agreeing £5million deal

Liverpool are close to completing the signing of Granada defender Guilherme Siqueira after agreeing a £5million deal.

Reds manager Brendan Rodgers has made adding another left-back to his squad a priority this summer, and he is hopeful of landing Siqueira in the next few days.

The 27-year-old is currently thrashing out personal terms with Liverpool after they had a bid, in the region of £5million, accepted by Granada this week.

Manchester United and Everton are also known to be keen on the player, but Liverpool expect there will be no late competition.

Delight: Brendan Rodgers looks like finally bringing in a new defender (Picture: Getty)

Siqueira, an attack minded full-back with power and pace, has scored 17 goals in 70 matches for Granada after joining them on a permanent basis from Udinese.

He will add competition to Jose Enrique at left-back, and can also prove a useful option on the wing, following the sale of Stewart Downing to West Ham.

If Liverpool can get the transfer done, it will signal the end of Rodgers’ long-running hunt for another full-back, with several deals collapsing.

Moves for Aly Cissokho and Diego Contento have previously faltered over disagreements over a loan fee, while Lorenzo Melgarejo’s switch from Benfica fell apart last week when he failed to win a work permit.

Jamie Carragher: Arsenal will take fourth place ahead of Liverpool

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes Arsenal are favourite to secure fourth spot ahead of the Reds

Jamie Carragher believes Arsenal are favourites to finish in the Premier League’s top four ahead of Liverpool andTottenham Hotspur.

The 35-year-old, who called time on a 16-year Reds career in May, reckonsBrendan Rodgers needs to make a number of signings before Liverpool can launch a competitive top-four bid.

“I wouldn’t make Liverpool favourites to make the top four to be honest, I think you still have to look at Arsenal for that really,” Carragher toldCaughtOffside.

“But with a couple of more additions I think they’re going to make a better fight of it than they have done over the past few years. I expect them to go a lot closer.”

Carragher also expects Liverpool Luis striker Suárez to remain at Anfield despite interest from Arsenal.

“I see Suárez being at Liverpool. But guys like Suarez have come and gone before and the club moves on – the club will be there forever,” added Carragher.

“Luis Suárez is obviously a great player and will be difficult to replace, but the club always moves on. It’s not something I’d like to see happen though because he’s such a top player.

Liverpool starlet set for shock loan spell

Raheem Sterling could spend part of this season away from Anfield, according to the Daily Star.

The Liverpool youngster could join fellowPremier League outfit West Ham United on a short-term loan deal.

The 18-year-old made 24 league appearances last season, but it seems Sterling’s chances of playing first team football have been limited after the Reds signed Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto this summer. Manager Brendan Rodgers is set to send the youngster on loan to gain more playing time with the Hammers.

Sterling will be one of many Reds players loaned out this season, joining the likes of Suso who joined Almeria, and Pepe Reina who is spending the season at Napoli. But Rodgers wants the English starlet to move to a Premier League side in order to learn how to play against English teams.

With just two league goals to his name, Sterling looks set to reunite with former Red Andy Carroll, who secured a permanent move to the Hammers earlier this summer. He could also team up with Stewart Downing, who has been heavily linked with a £5million move to Upton Park.

Sterling could still feature in Liverpool’s opening fixture of the new Premier League season against Stoke on Saturday.

Should Liverpool let Sterling go on loan? Are there first team opportunities there at Anfield?

Share your thoughts below!

Liverpool set to sign defender

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is closing in on a £5million for Granada left-back Guilherme Siqueira, and is also targeting a new left winger.

Everton had been linked with a move for Brazilian Siqueira as a replacement for Manchester United target Leighton Baines, but the Reds has moved swiftly to edge out their Merseyside rivals.

Rodgers had considered loan moves for Benfica's Lorenzo Megarejo and Valencia's Aly Cissokho, but settled on a permanent deal for Siqueira.

The 27-year-old is expected to move to Anfield for around £5m, as Liverpool press Granada for further talks.

The Northern Irish manager wants to play Daniel Sturridge up front with Phillipe Coutinho just behind him, and draft in a new attacking face on the left.

"We are looking for someone on the left with pace and who can score goals," Rodgers said.

Source: Daily Express

Liverpool: Downing Fee Agreed

Talk of a Liverpool departure is nothing new for Stewart Downing, however the weekend talks that this was something that was really likely to happen seem almost certain to be proven true.

A fee has been agreed with West Ham for them to sign the 29-year-old.

Downing would need to agree terms, which would mean taking a fairly significant pay cut you'd imagine, with a medical required. Passing that should be a mere formality though.

This switch to Upton Park could well, perhaps even will be wrapped up by midweek - almost certainly in time for him to make his West Ham debut this weekend you'd think?

Somewhere in the region of £15m will be lost on Liverpool's outlay for the winger, added to a loss of some £20m when Andy Carroll was also sold to the Hammers earlier this season. The outlay on both players was certainly money well spent wasn't it...

Other Liverpool news had, of course, centred around Luis Suarez this weekend.

This hasn't been covered as I'm sure everyone has had just about enough of this saga and the sooner this is sorted out the better.

An apology is wanted, this doesn't seem forthcoming from the striker but Brendan Rodgers has just today said that he still feels a resolution to this situation can be found...

Liverpool turn down bid for Daniel Agger

Liverpool have recently turned down a bid for their defender Daniel Agger – said to be in the region of £14M. Barcelona are the side whose interest they have snubbed.

‘We’re aware Barcelona have made an offer for Daniel that Liverpool have rejected. It would be up to the clubs to agree a fee for his transfer in order for that to change.’ – Agger’s agent Per Steffensen.

Liverpool currently have Daniel Agger, Martin Skrtel, and Kolo Toure as their options in the centre of defence for the 2013/14 Premier League campaign.

Martin Skrtel lost his place in the side during the tail-end of last season, and has been linked with a move to Napoli. The Serie A side are now managed by Rafa Benitez – formerly of Liverpool. Benitez has admitted he has been trying to procure the 28-year old’s signature, but has so far been unsuccessful as the Merseyside outfit have no plans to let him go.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has the same stance on Daniel Agger – as he hopes the pair can once again form a formidable partnership next season. However, Barcelona are not reportedly finished with their pursuit for the Danish international.

The Catalan giants have been in desperate need for a defender to replace the veteran Carles Puyol, and in order to partner Gerard Pique. Midfielders Alex Song, Javier Mascherano, and Sergio Busquets have been used at the back as a temporarily solution, but new manager Gerardo Martino wants the side to have a natural centre-back.

Chelsea’s David Luiz has also emerged a potential target for the La Liga champions this summer, but they’ve been met with resistance from the London outfit.

Barcelona have found their interest snubbed for a number of defenders this summer, and it looks likely the search will go on until the summer transfer window closes.

Daniel Agger’s agent refuses to rule out Barcelona move

Daniel Agger‘s agent has refused to rule out his player moving to Barcelona, saying it is a matter between the two clubs.

Reports on Monday suggest Barcelona may test Liverpool’s resolve with a second bid, after having a £17.5million bid for the Danish international turned down last week.

Agger was this week made vice-captain of the club, appointed following Jamie Carragher’s retirement at the end of the 2012/13 campaign.

Andy Hunter writes in Monday’s Guardian:

Barcelona are expected to return with an improved offer for the Liverpool defender before the transfer deadline. And Agger’s agent, Per Steffensen, has suggested the Denmark international would consider a transfer to Camp Nou.

Dominic King of the Daily Mail says:

Brendan Rodgers is adamant Liverpool will retain Agger but that may change today as Barcelona wait to see if David Luiz will push to leave Chelsea.

However, Steffensen did not say Agger was pushing for a move to the Nou Camp, with the new Premier League season set to get underway next Saturday.

“We are aware that Barcelona have made an offer for Daniel that Liverpool have rejected,” hesaid. “Daniel has a contract with Liverpool for the next three years and it would be up to the clubs to agree a fee for his transfer in order for that to change.”

Liverpool will surely do everything they can to keep hold of Agger, following a summer of exit talk involving forward Luis Suarez.

Only last week, manager Brendan Rodgers spoke of the “refreshing loyalty” seen in Agger in his commitment to the club.

With Carragher having retired, seemingly replaced by the signing of Kolo Toure, and Sebastian Coates not favoured by Rodgers, selling Agger would leave only Martin Skrtel as an established centre-back partner for Toure – and Skrtel too has been strongly linked with a move away from Anfield.

Liverpool begin their league campaign on Saturday, 17th August 2013 with Stoke City visiting Anfield in the early 12.45pm game live on BT Sport.

Suarez told to commit, apologise to Liverpool fans

Uruguayan needs 'to fight like he's always done', Rodgers says, but insists Liverpool will keep him despite new rumours of move to Madrid

Brendan Rodgers has told Luis Suarez he must apologise to his Liverpool teammates and the club's fans who he insists deserve better from the controversial Uruguayan.

The Reds boss, speaking after his side squandered a hatful of chances in their 1-0 friendly defeat to Celtic in Dublin, also reiterated his stance that the striker, who is wanted by Arsenal, is not for sale under any circumstances.

And now he has told the player to admit the error of his ways by showing some contrition ahead of the beginning of the Premier League season, which kicks off with Liverpool's clash with Stoke on Saturday.

"Luis needs to do a couple of things," Rodgers said. "Obviously, we need initially a recognition, an apology to his teammates and the club. And then I'm sure once we get that, we'll have the commitment he's ready to fight like he's always done.

"From the day I walked in he fought tirelessly for the club. But I have to protect the fans, the supporters of this club and the players - they deserve more than that.

"He's spent some days working on his own, he's been working very hard. When he comes back from his international trip [Uruguay play a friendly in Japan mid-week] we'll assess it."

Rodgers mocked reports linking Suarez, 26, with a move to the continent, where Real Madrid were said to be interested in acquiring him, insisting only Arsenal had made a bid.

"There's lots of speculation about all these clubs," he said. "I was made aware at the end of last season that a number of clubs would come in for him, but we've had one, that's it.

"Our intention is to keep Luis. The story's the same."

Reds owner John W. Henry was in Dublin for the sell-out friendly, but Rodgers insisted there were no further talks on the future of the player who has dominated their entire pre-season preparations.

"No, there was nothing here," he said. "I spoke with him in Norway, during the week, and we're all on the same page.

"We want to keep him. Nothing more than that."

Liverpool fans were given a taste of life without Suarez in Saturday's 1-0 defeat, where Celtic's Amido Balde scored the only goal. Iago Aspas, Stewart Downing and substitute Daniel Sturridge all wasted good opportunities to score against a vastly under-strength Celtic side.

But Rodgers is not concerned with the lack of goals.

"I'm not really worried, no," he insisted. "We played a lot of games last season without Luis and we continued to score without him.

"That's not to say we don't want him, he's world-class, and when he's committed we'll welcome him back with open arms.

"But we created chances. Yes, we couldn't score, but that's something we'll improve on.

Evans surprised by Rodgers’ demand of Suarez

Football correspondent for The Times, Tony Evans, joins Sam Matterface to share his thoughts on the Luis Suarez transfer saga that has dominated the headlines this summer.

Evans says he was surprised by Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers’ demand of an apology from the forward, adding that if the club truly want Suarez to stay they need to patch up the rift behind closed doors and move forward.

He also adds that he agrees with Rodgers' stance that no player is bigger than the club, and encourages Suarez to show more loyalty to Liverpool, especially given the support they and the fans have given him during his time in Merseyside.

The sports writer also discusses the latest news regarding Stewart Downing’s future at the club, revealing that the underperforming winger is very close to a move away from Anfield.

Daniel Sturridge ready for selection against Stoke

Daniel Sturridge says he is feeling ready to start the new Premier League season for Liverpool after recovering from injury.

Sturridge only began full-time training with the Reds squad last week after spending the summer in rehabilitation following an ankle injury picked up on international duty with England in May.

Sturridge played a part in Liverpool’s 1-0 defeat to Celtic in Dublin on Saturday and certainly looked sharp in front of goal, reigniting his partnership in attack with Philippe Coutinho.

Now a relieved Sturridge says he can’t wait to get back to playing every week.

“I’m delighted to be back,” he told the club’s official television channel, LFC TV. “I want to say thanks to the physio, Matt [Konopinski], and the fitness coach, Jordan [Milsom], for all the hard work they’ve done with me.

“It’s been a long road – a bumpy one at that – but I’m delighted to be back out there and I’m thankful to God for healing my injury so quickly because I wasn’t sure I’d be back for the start of the season.

“I’m fit and good to go. If I’m selected against Stoke then I’ll be ready. I didn’t think I’d be as sharp as I was, to be honest, so I’m happy! I would have loved to have scored and marked my return with a goal, but the important thing was to leave the pitch healthy with no injury or anything.”

Liverpool’s defeat to the hands of Celtic was only their first defeat of their summer pre-season schedule, having won every other match.
But, despite the result, Sturridge’s return delighted manager Brendan Rodgers.

“I thought he was excellent,” the Liverpool boss told press after the game at the Aviva Stadium.

“You saw the difference when he came on in the second half – that power and pace, and his link-up play with Coutinho was great.

“He’s working really hard to get fit and he’s looked really strong in training this week.

“He got 45 minutes today and we’ve got a behind-closed-doors game in the early part of the week. We can assess him after that but he looked really good.”

Some of the squad now go to their international squads for a round of friendly matches, before the league season gets underway next Saturday, August 17th.

Liverpool kick off the new season with a visit from Stoke City at 12.45pm. The match is live on BT Sport.

Spurs in for Reds targets

Tottenham have launched an audacious £15million double bid for Ajax stars Christian Eriksen and Toby Alderweireld.

The Spurs move threatens to hijack Liverpool's interest in the duo.

The Reds have been long-time favourites to sign two of Europe's most gifted young players whose contracts expire next summer.

Both have turned down a string of proposed transfers this summer to wait for the right Premier League club - until now believed to be Liverpool.

The White Hart Lane club have already spent £52m on new faces. They want to add Eriksen and Alderweireld before reviewing Gareth Bale's proposed £85m move to Real Madrid.

Midfielder Eriksen is only 21 but has won 36 Denmark caps. This summer he has rejected offers from Italy, Germany and Russia.

Zenit Saint Petersburg, Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, AS Roma and AS Monaco offered either Champions League football or extreme wage packets to the player.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has been raising funds by selling fringe players so may hope to scupper Spurs' move.

"I am prepared to wait. I will only go where my heart wants to go,'' Eriksen said, explaining that he is keen to go to a club with stature and history in the Premier League.

"I am patiently waiting what will happen in the next few weeks. But I have said before I only want to go to a club where I feel I can play at my best and which suits my style.''

"I am ready for something new, I am ready for bigger options. But it has to be right."

Eriksen will cost £8m. Alderweireld, 24, who is also wanted by Everton, will cost £7m. The Belgium international centre-back has already rejected a move to Norwich City.

Marc Overmars, Ajax's technical director, has confirmed that his club have agreed a deal for the defender with Spartak Moscow. Again, Alderweireld is refusing to sign.

Spurs have made their move in the last few days. A delegation of scouts travelled last weekend to Amsterdam to watch the Belgium player in his club's first league game of the season. He was voted man of the match.

Alderweireld's agent, former Denmark international Soren Lerby, is convinced both players will be sensations in the Premier League.

"Christian is one of the best midfielders and one of the biggest talents in Europe," said Lerby. "I think in before the transfer window closes we will witness a couple of big transfers.''

Source: Daily Mirror

Wonderkid the next Gerrard?

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers wants Derby County midfield marvel Will Hughes - to groom him as the next Steven Gerrard, writes Alan Nixon in the Sunday People.

Rodgers is hot on the trail of the young Ram who has been starring in the Championship and attracting big interest, headed by Manchester City and Arsenal.

Derby want at least £7 million for home-grown Hughes but could be open to a sale and loan back deal with one of the big clubs.

Rodgers's spies have been homing in on Hughes and could strike a deal with Nigel Clough's side shortly, but they are also happy to leave him at Pride Park to play.

Landing Hughes - one of the most wanted young English players around - would be a huge statement.

Gerrard has ruled Liverpool's midfield for over a decade but Rodgers will have to find his long-term successor and Hughes's displays suggest he could be the man.

Pale-faced, blond-haired Hughes has dazzled with his skills, backed by football intelligence that marks him out ahead of his peers.

Derby chief Clough knows Hughes is destined for the top and a sale would help him build up his squad - but ideally keep the youngster for another season. 

Source: Daily Mirror

Top 10 centre-midfielders in Premier League history – including Chelsea and Liverpool stars

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10) Gary Speed – Leeds, Everton, Newcastle, Bolton

It’s important to note that Speed makes this list not because of his personal tragedy; but simply because he was a fantastic midfielder. In the first ever year of the Premier League, Speed made the team of the year, – and went to make over 530 league appearances in all. His fantastic fitness, and brilliant attitude on and off the pitch meant he was a valuable member of every team he played for. His sad death in 2011 overshadows what was purely a fantastic playing career. He will be sadly missed.

9) Xabi Alonso – Liverpool

Liverpool have quite simply not been the same side since Alonso left to Real Madrid in 2009. The brilliant Spaniard is arguably the best passer of a football to ever grace the league, and what he lacked in dynamism, he made up for in pure class. Had a fondness for scoring from the halfway line, too.

8) Yaya Toure – Manchester City

The giant Ivorian rightly wins a spot here despite only being at City for three years. His immense physical presence means he is virtually impossible to get the ball off. As good going forward as he is going backwards, Toure was arguably City’s best player when they won the league title in 2011/12. A beast of a midfielder; Toure is one of the few footballers who earns his astronomical wages.

7) Cesc Fabregas – Arsenal

When the little Spaniard started making the odd first-team appearance for Arsenal aged just 16; there were whisperings that Arsene Wenger had unearthed another world-beater. And he had. Fabregas was the fulcrum of everything good that Arsenal did between 2004 and 2011, and it’s a travesty that he only ever won an FA Cup in England. Rightly earned a mega-money move to boyhood club Barcelona, where he continues to shine.

6) Claude Makelele – Chelsea

You know you’re a good player when you get a position named after you. Every major club in Europe now employs someone in ‘the Makelele role’, anchoring the midfield, and picking the ball up from defence. His marvellous work helped Jose Mourinho win back-to-back titles for Chelsea, and his value to the side was never questioned by Blues fans. A brilliant holding midfielder.

5) Roy Keane – Manchester United

A ferocious central midfielder, and the man Sir Alex Ferguson trusted to lead the likes of Jaap Stam, David Beckham, Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs and Ruud Van Nistelrooy. One of the most aggressive tacklers the country has ever seen, Keane loved a midfield battle like few other. When he could control his temper and channel it positively, he was truly formidable opponent. Seven league titles, four FA Cups and Champions League. Not too shabby.

4) Patrick Vieira – Arsenal

The heartbeat of Arsenal’s invincibles team; Vieira was as strong as he was mercurial. Made a habit of winning the ball brilliantly in midfield, and playing through the wonderful Thierry Henry with an intricate through-ball. The most imposing figure in Premier League history when at his most destructive, Vieira has to be regarded as one of the greatest ever foreign imports into English football.

3) Frank Lampard – Chelsea

Never before has a centre-midfielder scored goals with such relentless regularity. There has never been a better midfielder at arriving on the edge of the box and finding the bottom corner – which has helped Lampard bag a ludicrous 243 career goals already. Has won league titles, FA Cups and a Champions League, and perhaps the only travesty is that he never formed a successful partnership with the man above him in this list…

2) Steven Gerrard – Liverpool

The England and Liverpool captain fantastic; there isn’t much that can be said about Steven Gerrard that hasn’t already been said. Liverpool’s greatest ever player, Gerrard has carried his side for the past ten years. The 33-year-old is the ultimate midfielder: strong, quick, powerful, good in the air, good tackler, great passer and an eye for a goal. Also capable of a piece of last minute magic. If he played for a side that won the league he could be well top this list.

1) Paul Scholes – Manchester United

To think the quiet Manchester boy tops this list of egos, talents and world-class footballers, is testament to his unrivalled ability. Ask any ex-pro who played with Scholes, ‘Who was the best you ever played with?’, and there’s only ever one answer. A telescopic right-foot, an eye for goal and a near perfect touch has meant Scholes has been United’s midfield metronome for 20 consecutive Premier League seasons. It will be a long time before this country makes a midfielder quite as talented as Paul Scholes.