LEGEND STEVIE: JURGEN’S SIDE ARE BEST EVER REDS TO WATCH

BY JAMES NURSEY

STEVEN GERRARD reckons Liverpool’s quadruple-chasers are the best team to watch in Anfield history.

Gerrard is a legend at Anfield after an iconic 17-year career as a midfielder and captain. He made 710 appearances and captained Liverpool to a memorable Champions League triumph in 2005, as well as winning two FA Cups, three League Cups, and the UEFA Cup.

He is a huge admirer of their current side, who have won the Carabao Cup this term and are in the finals of both the FA Cup and Champions League.

Jurgen Klopp’s swashbuckling side (above) visit Gerrard’s Villa tonight looking to keep up the pressure on leaders Manchester City in the title race too. And Gerrard said: “I think to watch, they’re probably the best, because of the speed, the intensity, and mentality.

“But I say that without disrespecting previous Liverpool teams because I grew up watching them.

“The European Cup winners, serial League title winners, I grew up on all of that.

“I’m well aware they’ve previously had world-class players, managers and teams.

“But I think to watch, on the eye, because of the way the game itself has changed – it’s gone quicker, it’s gone faster – I think you’re probably watching the best Liverpool team there has been.” Klopp’s title rival at City, Pep Guardiola, claimed at the weekend that everyone wants Liverpool to beat them to the Premier League crown. When asked for his opinion, Gerrard (below) smiled: “I want them to win.”

But despite his preference for Liverpool to triumph and deny City a second successive crown, Gerrard insists he is focused on Villa beating them tonight. He said: “It’s my job to prepare Villa in the best way I can and nothing will change. Whoever I represent I go into the game wanting to win. “The day I don’t have that urgency to win I won’t be sitting in a seat like this. “We’ve got to make sure we’re brave enough and show enough quality on the pitch to go and hurt Liverpool.” Gerrard is under contract at Villa Park until 2024, which was when Klopp’s contract was due to expire at Anfield until he recently signed a new two-year extension. The fact both contracts were up simultaneously sparked speculation Gerrard would succeed the German.

But Gerrard added: “I told a lot of people that was a load of nonsense. Some people tried to put two and two together. My plan is 100 percent at Villa – there is no plan beyond that.”