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Steven Gerrard once called a Liverpool teammate better than Lionel Messi after being stunned by his abilities at Anfield.

Steven Gerrard names greatest Liverpool teammates

The Reds legend spent 17 senior years on Merseyside after coming through Liverpool’s academy, making his debut back in 1998.

During that time, Gerrard would never win the Premier League, however, he has gone down as one of the greatest players the top flight has ever seen. Across the world, Gerrard also became a superstar, having everything you need to be a top midfielder, and was known for scoring goals from distance.

He could have left Liverpool on numerous occasions during his career but remained a Red until 2015, and, following a brief stint in the MLS with LA Galaxy, would call time on his career.

Over the years at Anfield, Gerrard would play with some of the best around, including names such as Xabi Alonso, Luis Suarez and Fernando Torres. The English legend has actually named his greatest Liverpool XI of stars he played with, and Gerrard quite rightly named himself in the side.

However, one name not in that XI once came in for high praise from Gerrard, with the midfielder comparing him to a certain Argentine icon.

Steven Gerrard said Arsenal star was the Premier League 'GOAT' and better than Ronaldo

The Liverpool legend weighed in on the debate…

By
Ben Goodwin

May 21, 2025

Gerrard once called Liverpool flop Joe Cole better than Messi

In 2010, Messi was already a one time, and soon-to-be two time Ballon d’Or winner, regarded as one of the best on the planet.

However, Liverpool had just signed Joe Cole on a free transfer following his departure from Chelsea, and in his early days at Anfield, caught Gerrard’s eye.

In fact, Gerrard said Cole left him shocked in training and said that his fellow Englishman can do things better than Messi.

Gerrard may have backed Cole for the Player of the Year award in 2010/11, however, he scored just two Premier League goals in 20 appearances, and the following season, was sent out on loan to Lille before eventually leaving to join West Ham on a permanent basis in January 2013.

Things didn’t work out for Cole at Liverpool the way he and Gerrard imagined, and it’s fair to say his and Messi’s careers went in completely different directions after that 2010/11 campaign.

All the stats and records from West Indies’ forgettable night in Dubai.

Sampath Bandarupalli23-Oct-202155 West Indies’ total against England is the third-lowest for any side in the men’s T20 World Cup. Netherlands recorded the top-two lowest totals – 39 all out in 2014 and 44 all out on Friday, both against Sri Lanka. West Indies did not have a sub-100 total at the men’s T20 World Cup before this game.ESPNcricinfo Ltd2 The 55 all-out score is the second-lowest T20I total ever by West Indies. Their lowest was 45 all out, also coming against England, in 2019. West Indies have made consecutive T20I totals of 55, 71 and 45 against England, the top three lowest T20I totals against England.ESPNcricinfo Ltd1 England have beaten West Indies for the first time at the men’s T20 World Cup. West Indies were victorious in their previous five meetings, including twice in the 2016 edition.

Watch the T20 World Cup on ESPN+

Sign up for ESPN+ and catch the Men’s T20 World Cup live in the US. Match highlights of England vs West Indies is available here in English, and here in Hindi (US only).

4 for 2 Adil Rashid’s bowling figures during West Indies’ innings, the best in men’s T20Is for England. The previous best was 4 for 6 by Chris Jordan, also against West Indies, in 2019. Only one player before Adil had a four-wicket haul for England at the men’s T20 World Cup – 4 for 28 by Jordan against Sri Lanka in 2016.ESPNcricinfo Ltd70 Balls to spare when England reached the target of 56 runs, the first time England won a T20I with ten or more overs to spare. It is also the first time West Indies lost by such a margin. England chased a target of 72 against West Indies in 2019 with 57 balls to spare, the previous biggest T20I win in terms of balls to spare for England, also the biggest defeat for West Indies previously.2 Runs conceded by Adil Rashid for his four wickets against West Indies, the cheapest four-wicket haul in men’s T20I cricket. Steve Tikolo also took four wickets for two runs, in 1.2 overs against Scotland in 2013.2 West Indies’ 55 all out is also the second-lowest T20 total ever recorded in the UAE, behind Netherlands’ 44 all out on Friday against Sri Lanka in Sharjah. The previous lowest T20 total in Dubai was 59 all out by Lahore Qalandars against Peshawar Zalmi in 2017.

Still on the hunt for attacking reinforcements, Manchester United are now reportedly open to offering Joshua Zirkzee in a summer swap deal to sign one particular target worth a hefty £85m.

Man Utd could face Gyokeres and Mbeumo rejection

Whilst their recruitment of Matheus Cunha gave them plenty of hope that last season’s failure wouldn’t stand in the way of much-needed additions this summer, Viktor Gyokeres and Bryan Mbeumo could quickly flip that narrative.

It’s a fairly open secret that the Red Devils are in pursuit of the duo, with Fabrizio Romano even going as far as to suggest that they’ve been constantly contacting Gyokeres, but that pursuit could yet end in failure.

Thomas Frank’s move to Tottenham Hotspur has suddenly seen the North London side come sprinting into the race for Mbeumo’s signature and reports are claiming that the Lilywhites have met the forward’s £70m price tag. United, meanwhile, have already seen one bid rejected for the Brentford star.

Losing out on two attacking targets would be a frustrating blow for United, but losing out to two rivals in Arsenal and Tottenham would add further salt to their wounds.

The new Martial: Wilcox ramping up move to sign "next Mbappe" for Man Utd

Man United are pressing to bring in a centre-forward with shades of Anthony Martial.

By
Angus Sinclair

Jun 16, 2025

Those at Old Trafford may have no choice but to dust themselves off and go again, however. Just who they turn to if they miss out on Mbeumo and Gyokeres is the big question. On that front, names such as Antoine Semenyo and an impressive £85m striker have already been mentioned among those that United may begin to chase.

Man Utd open to swap deal for Ekitike involving Zirkzee

That £85m name is of course Hugo Ekitike. According to Caught Offside, Manchester United are now open to offering Joshua Zirkzee in a swap deal to sign Ekitike. Eintracht Frankfurt reportedly value the Frenchman at €100m (£85m), but the inclusion of Zirkzee in any deal could help bring that hefty figure down.

Whilst there may well be a concern over just how much Ekitike has underperformed when it comes to matching his expected goals, there’s no doubt that he’d be an instant upgrade on Zirkzee for Ruben Amorim this summer.

The Dutchman struggled to leave his mark in his debut season, making it harder and harder to justify his £105,000-a-week salary. Now, just one year later, he could find himself replaced and shown the exit door in one swift move.

Described as “strong” by analyst Ben Mattinson, who was full of praise for the Frenchman back in March, Ekitike is undoubtedly one to watch this summer. He won’t come cheap, but if Manchester United can find a way past the forward’s hefty price tag, then he is one that they should prioritise.

Michail Antonio was on top form on his return to action with two goals for West Ham United U21 as he continues his recovery from a horrific car crash.

• Antonio scores twice for West Ham U21
• First match since car crash last December
• Uncertainty over future with contract expired

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Antonio struck twice in the opening 23 minutes in his first club match since the incident as the Hammers won 2-1 at National League side Boreham Wood. Antonio scored the opener after just four minutes when he dispossessed a defender on the edge of his own box, before heading home a second to ultimately win the game.

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  After enduring such a life-changing crash last December, Antonio is lucky to have the chance to be back on a football pitch and will have been glad to impact the game as he did. This comes after he returned with a late substitute appearance for Jamaica in the Gold Cup earlier this summer.

  Each Hammers player came up to him individually to congratulate him after his opening goal, and West Ham U21 coach Mark Robson said it was a "fantastic experience" for the young players to play alongside him. Despite this, Antonio remains out of contract after his West Ham deal expired on June 30.

• Getty
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR ANTONIO?

  Whether he secures a new contract at West Ham or moves elsewhere, Antonio will hope to continue his recovery and return to first-team action soon. West Ham fans flooded the comments on the clip of his goal on X, asking for Antonio to sign – some stating that he should sign for the Hammers over fellow free agent Callum Wilson – so the supporters would clearly like to see a club legend stick around. Antonio will be glad to play football again, wherever it is.

Fans of both Ted Lasso and Mumford & Sons were taken by surprise as an unexpected collaboration took place on stage during a Kansas City concert.

• Ted Lasso cast joined Mumford & Sons on stage
• They sang the show's theme tune
• Season four filming is underway

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Lead actor Jason Sudeikis and other members of the Ted Lasso cast such as Hannah Waddingham made a show-stopping appearance on stage during the concert to sing and dance along to the show's theme song, as promotion continues for the upcoming fourth season of the iconic show.

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  Sudeikis is a Kansas City native himself and so this was the perfect location for a surprise guest appearance. The much-loved show, which follows American Ted Lasso on his unexpected journey into football management in England, is gearing up for a fourth season after much critical acclaim and many awards won during the first three seasons, including 13 Emmys.

• Apple TV
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR TED LASSO?

  This on-stage appearance will only have done more to build anticipation for fans for the next season of the show when is does hit screens across the globe. Maybe we will see Sudeikis and Co. make more surprise public appearances before then.

Wicketkeeper insists team will continue to ‘inspire and entertain’ despite insipid Ashes showing

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Jan-2025Amy Jones has insisted there’s still a “lot of love” for Alex Hartley within the England Women’s squad, as she sought to play down the row over Hartley’s claims that she has been “given the cold shoulder” by certain players during her duties as an Ashes broadcaster.England go into Thursday’s second T20I in Canberra needing nothing less than a win to maintain their hopes of salvaging a drawn series after four consecutive losses. But their on-field struggles have been overshadowed by the team’s alleged response to Hartley’s criticism of their fitness levels, which began with their T20 World Cup exit in October.Speaking on a BBC podcast on Monday, after Australia’s 57-run win had confirmed that they will maintain their decade-long hold on the Ashes, Hartley claimed that Sophie Ecclestone had refused to do a TV interview with her, and that other members of the squad were no longer talking to her on the boundary edge.”The reason I said that they were not as fit as Australia is because I want them to compete with Australia,” Hartley had added. “I want them to be better than Australia, and I want them to win Ashes and World Cups. I’m giving my opinion, and I’ve been given the cold shoulder from the England team ever since.”Replying to the row, Jones acknowledged that the squad had fallen well short of its own expectations during the Ashes, but denied that the players had taken Hartley’s comments personally.”I don’t think it is the case,” Jones said. “I think we all respect that commentators have their own opinions and it’s Alex’s job to say how she feels. And I think we all respect that. Hartley’s a great personality, and we have a lot of love for her within the group. So, I definitely don’t think that’s the case.”Jones herself has been a qualified success in a misfiring batting line-up, making three 30-plus scores in four innings to date, including an unbeaten 47 in a low-scoring ODI in Melbourne.Related

• Hartley: Ecclestone 'refused TV interview' after Ashes loss

• Mooney and King help clinical Australia retain Ashes

• Mooney: Voll has taken to international cricket 'like a duck to water'

• Healy in doubt for rest of Ashes series as she misses first T20I

• Australia show off their depth in dominant Sydney display

However, England’s missed opportunities in this series were epitomised by Jones’ glaring lack of game awareness at the culmination of that Melbourne innings, when she failed to run on a free hit that could have kept her on strike going into the penultimate over of the innings. No.11 Lauren Bell was bowled one ball later to condemn England to a 21-run loss.”That one in particular was hard to take, for many reasons,” Jones said. “I felt emotionally drained afterwards [because], with the obvious mistake at the end, you definitely feel responsible for the loss. But the support from all the girls and the staff emphasised that long games don’t often come down to one specific moment, so I guess that definitely helped.”I’ve obviously made contributions along the way, but as a player, you definitely judge yourself on matchwinning contributions. I’ve been lucky to be in a position where I could have really helped influence a few of those games, especially in the ODIs, and I’m disappointed not to be able to get the team over the line. There’s a lot of learnings in there.”Alex Hartley claims she has been given the ‘cold shoulder’ by England players•Getty Images

Even with the series all but lost, Jones says that the squad will be sticking to the same mantras and methods that have been in place since the start of Jon Lewis’ tenure as head coach, in particular their desire to “inspire and entertain” – traits that have arguably been in scarce supply in a dispiriting campaign.”We’re still working hard at training and in team meetings to try and put our best foot forward,” Jones said. “We’ll be very excited to come out play tomorrow, and hopefully get some points on the board.”There was a bit of reconnection after the second ODI about how we want to play, making sure we’re still trying to inspire and entertain,” she added. “That’s worked really well for us in the past, and it’s something that all of us connect to really well.”It brings out more of a fearless playing style, which suits us. I think we’ve lifted a bit away from that, and so reconnecting to that is important for us. We play our best when we take the game on, put their bowlers under pressure with the bat, and have a wicket-taking mindset with the ball. In the field, it’s around energy and enjoyment. When all those things come together, we’re obviously a very good side.”

Crystal Palace have now made an ambitious approach to sign a “rapid” £40m star, who is being targeted by some of the Premier League’s top clubs, according to a report.

Palace's transfer plans taking shape amid Europa League uncertainty

Palace’s decision to reject Tottenham Hotspur’s £70m bid for Marc Guehi in the January transfer window ultimately paid dividends, given that the captain went on to play a key role in the FA Cup triumph against Manchester City.

However, the Eagles will always be well aware that a replacement may be needed this summer, given that Guehi’s contract expires next summer, and Premier League rivals Newcastle United are now believed to be close to completing a deal.

In theory, Selhurst Park should be an attractive destination this summer, given that Europa League football should be on offer next season, although it is still up in the air whether Oliver Glasner’s side will even be able to take part in the competition.

Indeed, amid issues around multi-club ownership, UEFA may remove Crystal Palace from the competition, although they are willing to do whatever it takes to participate.

It remains to be seen whether Palace are allowed to take part, but should they embark on a European adventure, they may need to bring in a top-quality replacement for Guehi, and they have now made an approach for Sporting CP’s Ousmane Diomande.

That is according to a report from The Daily Mail, which states an enquiry has been lodged over the centre-back, who is being targeted as a direct heir to Guehi, and is thought to be valued at £40m.

Diomande could be viewed as an ambitious target, however, considering 2025-26 Champions League participants Chelsea and Newcastle United have also expressed an interest.

Crystal Palace now keen to hijack 21 y/o gem who's the 'next Upamecano'

The Eagles could get one over on their rivals.

By
Tom Cunningham

Jun 7, 2025

Diomande could be real coup for Palace

Zach Lowy has been left enamoured with the Sporting defender in the past, describing him as “physically imposing” and “rapid”, before going on to claim the 21-year-old “has everything it takes to become one of the best center backs in football.”

As such, if the Eagles were able to win the race for the defender, it would be a real coup, and he could be a fantastic replacement for Guehi, who now appears to be heading to St. James’ Park.

Not only is the Ivorian impressive from a defensive point of view, but he also offers an attacking threat, while regularly displaying his ability in possession of the ball over the past year.

Should Palace manage to win UEFA round and secure their place in the Europa League, a move to Crystal Palace could appeal to Diomande, but they will have to bank on the likes of Chelsea and Newcastle pursuing other targets.