Having had to suck up the success of Manchester United for so many years of his playing career, Steven Gerrard is enjoying Liverpool’s Champions League run this season.
Gerrard was on top, slagging form on BT Sport, on Wednesday, as he wound up former United defender Rio Ferdinand.
United are out of the competition while the Reds are into the last four after beating Manchester City 5-1 on aggregate in their quarter final.
Following the broadcaster’s coverage of Real Madrid’s controversial 4-3 aggregate win over Juventus, Ferdinand stated that Liverpool were ‘the dangerous team’ left in the hat for the semi final draw [on Friday]. Gerrard was laughing already.
Gerrard: He’s crying.
Gary Lineker: God love him!
Ferdinand: They’re dangerous.
Lineker: So were saying earlier that you desperately wanted Liverpool to win.
Ferdinand: No I didn’t!
Lineker: No, just kidding.
Ferdinand: Let’s be clear, I didn’t!
Talk moved on to the poor form of Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who was badly at fault for Blaise Matuidi’s goal and could have done better with Mario Mandzukic’s second, headed goal.
Gerrard described him as a weak link in the Real side and while Ferdinand tried to carry on, and praise both Matuidi and Miralem Pjanic, Lineker and Gerrard were not done.
Credit: BT SportWith a smile playing across his face, Lineker began, “Stevie was saying Real could do with De Gea…. ”
Ferdinand: That’s another dig. He’s just trying to make another dig.
Gerrard: Just get ready for it. Get ready for it. Alls I’m saying is get ready for it. Get ready! Prepare yourself.
Ferdinand: No, he’s staying there [at Manchester United]. He doesn’t need to go to Real Madrid.
Gerrard is correct, though.
Real Madrid are expected to come back to United with a massive bid for former Atletico goalkeeper David De Gea. The Spaniard has been United’s best player for the past six seasons and already came close to penning a deal with Los Blancos two years ago.
Real may return to United with an even bigger offer and could even throw in a sweetener or two in terms of player transfers.
United fans will be hoping De Gea spurns their advances again but, one suspects, Gerrard will be enjoying the saga from afar.
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