Liverpool’s Gerrard one of Premier League’s all-time greats – Adkins
Reading manager Nigel Adkins hails Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard as one of the Premier League's all-time great players
Nigel Adkins has hailed Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard as one of the all-time Premier League greats ahead of Reading’s clash against the Reds.
The 32-year-old has been in impressive form for the Merseyside outfit this season, scoring nine goals and making nine assists in 32 appearances in the English top flight.
And Adkins says it is testament to Gerrard’s professionalism that the England captain has played every minute of Liverpool’s Premier League campaign.
“He’s a talisman for Liverpool and always has been. He drives them on and is a leader, taking a grip on the match when he needs to,” said Adkins.
“When you talk about midfielders there are different types, but he’s one you’d consider being in a starting XI of any all-time Premier League team.
“The fact he’s played so much football shows how professional he’s been in looking after his body. It’s a testament to him.
“If you want to play games, then you need to look after your body.”
Adkins took charge of Reading in March after the club’s hierarchy decided to part ways with Brian McDermott, who was appointed as Leeds United manager on Friday.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers spent six months at the Royals before being sacked in 2009, but Adkins reckons that experience will not provide the Northern Irishman with any further motivation at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday.
“Brendan doesn’t have anything to prove to us. He’s a fantastic manager,” he added.
“He was here, was very successful at Swansea and is doing a fantastic job at Liverpool. He’s a footballing man who improves his players.
“He has teams that are really exciting to watch, so I don’t believe he has anything to prove to anybody.”
