Gerrard is a Coul mentor

Lassana Coulibaly has revealed Steven Gerrard has been influencing his career for years rather than weeks.

The Mali international, on loan from French side Angers, sparkled in midfield in midweek against Maribor, scoring what could be the tie’s decisive goal at the death of their 3-1 win.

And the 22-year-old is thrilled to be learning at the feet of a man he considers one of the masters of his art.

He said: “I used to watch a lot of the manager’s matches when he was still playing.

“The way he played football is what I aspire to. I want to be like him.

“I watched guys like him, Michael Essien, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets, I’d watch the movement, what they did off the ball, and use that to try to improve myself as a player.

“I also know he scored a lot of important goals and that came from working hard. I have to match that to be like him.

“Right now he is always giving me advice and talking to me. Given he was such a great midfield player I have to listen to him. The main thing he tells me is to make sure I control midfield.”

Coulibaly is well aware how crucial his goal could be as Gers chase group-stage football in the Europa League.

But he warned: “The tie is far from over. We have to remain focused and make sure we are ready for the second leg. When it was 2-1 you are still slightly worried. They were making it difficult but we didn’t give up and got our reward. “A draw will be a good result for us over there but we

will still go out to win.”