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#7 Steven Gerrard
Arguably the greatest player to never win the Premier League, Steven Gerrard is undoubtedly the greatest Liverpool midfielder of all time. The Liverpool legend's leadership skills and inspirational performances are well renowned and his penchant for big match performances enhanced his reputation as one of the best English footballers of this generation.
Capable of playing all across the midfield line, Gerrard almost single-handedly dragged Liverpool to their incredible 2005 UEFA Champions League triumph. From 2004-2010, Gerrard was nearly unplayable and drove an average Liverpool team to great heights with some stunning individual performances.
Gerrard's legacy as a midfielder can be seen by these comments from Zidane:
"There was a point when Gerrard was the best midfield player in the world. It is unusual to get complete midfield players who can do everything, but that is what he was."
#6 Paul Scholes
Manchester United legend Paul Scholes takes the #6 spot on this list. One of Sir Alex Ferguson's most trusted players, the 'Ginger Genius' played a huge role in making Manchester United the European Super Club it is today.
One of the most gifted midfielders to ever play in the Premier League, Paul Scholes' range of passing was simply stunning. The England midfielder won every trophy possible with Manchester United and was highly regarded by both his teammates as well as opponents.
The respect Paul Scholes had from his peers can be seen by these comments made by legendary Spanish midfielder Xavi in 2011:
"A role model. For me, and I really mean this, he's the best central midfielder I've seen in the last 15, 20 years. He's spectacular, he has it all, the last pass, goals, he's strong, he doesn't lose the ball, vision. If he'd been Spanish he might have been rated more highly. Players love him."
#5 Andrea Pirlo
Current Juventus manager Andrea Pirlo redefined the role of a deep lying playmaker with his extraordinary vision and passing skills. Winner of the World Cup, UEFA Champions League, multiple Serie A titles and domestic cups, Andrea Pirlo is one of the most decorated midfielders in European football history.
The calmness with which he played his game and his ability to pick out the right pass always made him one of the greatest Italian players of all time. Andrea Pirlo's expertise with the dead ball led to many crucial goals and breakthroughs for both his club and country.
One of the most elegant and technically gifted players to ever grace the game, Pirlo's class and importance to football can perhaps be best summed up by this simple quote from the legendary Johan Cruyff:
"Pirlo can make his feet do whatever he wants. He's a genius."
#4 Didi
Brazil has produced a number of brilliant footballers, but Brazil's greatest ever central midfielder is arguably Waldyr Pereira, fondly known as Didi. The player of the tournament at the 1958 World Cup, Didi was the brains behind Pele and Garrincha's stunning feats with the Brazilian national team.
Didi often had his best performances on the biggest stage. The Brazilian midfielder had some amazing games in the 1958 and 1962 World Cups, winning both of them.
Ranked the 7th greatest Brazilian player of the 20th century by IFFHS, Didi was quite clearly the best midfielder of his generation and one of the greatest Brazilian players of all time.
