Former Liverpool captain and legend Steven Gerrard was recently voted the top player among 50 players from Manchester United and Liverpool in the Premier League era. The poll was conducted by Sky Sports in the build-up to Manchester United’s visit to Anfield last Monday.
Gerrard finished in top spot with 49,000 votes ahead of former teammate Luis Suarez who garnered more than 40,000 votes.
Having started his career in 1998, Gerrard spent 17 seasons at Liverpool, cementing his place not only as a fan favorite but also as a true club legend. Moreover, he is also considered to be one of only three players who shook the Kop, along with Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush.
Gerrard was also voted Liverpool’s greatest ever player during his last season with the club in 2015.
During his stay at the club, Gerrard won every possible title, with the exception of the Premier League; but being a true Red at heart, there’s perhaps nothing he enjoyed more than beating Manchester United.
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Therefore it comes as no surprise that Gerrard was United’s scourge on more than one occasion. Most notably when Gerrard and Fernando Torres ripped United to shreds in their own backyard during the 2008-09 season. This game also saw the very best of Torres who finished this poll in 8th place.
While Gerrard has many memories of playing against United, not all of them are particularly fond ones. One of the worst moments in a Liverpool shirt came against United, when he was sent off for an uncharacteristic stamp on Ander Herrera, during his last taste of this fixture.
But despite this incident, Gerrard will always hold a special place in the hearts of all Liverpool fans, as has been warranted once again by this poll. This kind of admiration is also largely responsible for Gerrard declaring that he will return to Liverpool sometime in the future.
Further, now that his time at LA Galaxy is drawing to a close, Gerrard’s Anfield reunion may not be too far away.
The top 10 of this poll was equally divided by players from both sides. Gerrard and Suarez were followed by Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Scholes, and Ryan Giggs; while Gerrard’s former partner in crime Xabi Alonso finished in sixth place. Manchester United’s mercurial king, Eric Cantona took the no.7 spot, while David Beckham and Robbie Fowler rounded off the top ten.
Finally, on a lighter note, current Sky Sports presenter Jamie Carragher finished 7 places above co-presenter Gary Neville who finished 21st.
Here are the top 10 players from the poll:-
| S.No | Player |
| 1 | Steven Gerrard |
| 2 | Luis Suarez |
| 3 | Cristiano Ronaldo |
| 4 | Paul Scholes |
| 5 | Ryan Giggs |
| 6 | Xabi Alonso |
| 7 | Eric Cantona |
| 8 | Fernando Torres |
| 9 | David Beckham |
| 10 | Robbie Fowler |
(Video courtesy: MrBoywunder YouTube channel)
