Former Liverpool midfielder Bolo Zenden has named Steven Gerrard in his dream XI of former teammates, alongside Xavi and Frank Lampard.
Zenden was signed by Rafa Benitez in 2005 and spent two seasons at Anfield, where he won the FA Cup and featured in the 2007 Champions League final where the Reds were defeated 2-1 by AC Milan.
The Dutch midfielder turned out for some of Europe's finest clubs during his journeyman career, having played at Chelsea during the early years of Roman Abramovich's ownership as well as both Barcelona and PSV.
EXCLUSIVE: Pedro Chirivella was left in tears by £200,000 Liverpool mistake before leaving after glorious high
Speaking to FourFourTwo, the 45-year-old was tasked with building a team of the best eleven players he has played during his career across Europe. Zenden's captain during his time at Anfield, Gerrard, was picked in a midfield three alongside Xavi and Lampard.
“A great captain," Zenden said when picking the now Aston Villa manager. "He wasn’t a man of many words, but above all of deeds. If necessary, Stevie would put in a tackle to ignite the fire in a game. Once a year, that tackle was over the edge – but he was our guy for important goals at Liverpool.”
During both their careers Gerrard and Lampard had been continuously compared to one another, with supporters, pundits and managers constantly pitching the battle as to who was the better midfielder. And when the pair lined up together during their time for England, they failed to spark an on-the-pitch relationship as the Three Lions' 'golden generation' failed to deliver success on the international stage.
Gerrard wasn't the only former Liverpool man to be selected in the side, as Pepe Reina was selected between the sticks as Zenden was full of praise for the Spaniard who he played with both at Barcelona and at Anfield.
He added: “A fantastic personality, a real winner and a penalty specialist. I met Pepe as a young lad at Barcelona, and later we played in the 2007 Champions League Final for Liverpool against Milan – but unfortunately we lost.”
Following his two years on Merseyside, the Dutchman joined Marseille in 2007, before returning to the Premier League with Sunderland in 2009.
READ NEXT:
- Manchester United have just paid for Liverpool transfer
Sadio Mane could follow Philippe Coutinho in discovering brutal Liverpool truth
Eight players who could still leave Liverpool before transfer window closes
Fabinho makes Darwin Nunez admission after Sadio Mane Liverpool exit
Raheem Sterling has finally paid the price for Liverpool exit
