Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has claimed that new Liverpool signing Joe Cole is as good as – if not better than – Lionel Messi.
Gerrard was believed to be a key figure in persuading Cole to come to Anfield and was extremely impressed with the ex-Chelsea man’s contribution on his debut against Rabotnicki in the Europa League last week.
Speaking to Match of the Day magazine, Gerrard eulogised about his international team-mate, claiming that he is on a par with Messi, the current holder of the FIFA World Player of the year award.
“Messi can do some amazing things, but anything he can do Joe can do as well, if not better,†said Gerrard.
“He used to shock us in training by doing footy tricks with a golf ball that most players can’t even do with a football.
“I really fancy Joe for the [player of the year] award this season.”
