{"id":6258,"date":"2026-05-09T03:48:01","date_gmt":"2026-05-09T03:48:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=6258"},"modified":"2026-05-09T03:48:01","modified_gmt":"2026-05-09T03:48:01","slug":"i-played-for-liverpool-and-chelsea-its-obvious-whether-gerrard-or-lampard-was-better","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=6258","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;I played for Liverpool and Chelsea &#8211; it&#8217;s obvious whether Gerrard or Lampard was better&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_5699b0\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">The former Liverpool and Chelsea star believes he knows who was the better player out of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard<\/h2>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"34945579\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard in England shirts\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article34945579.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/2_GettyImages-525688440.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article34945579.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/2_GettyImages-525688440.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article34945579.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/2_GettyImages-525688440.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article34945579.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/2_GettyImages-525688440.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"The debate over who was better out of Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard has raged for years\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">The debate over who was better out of Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard has raged for years<cite aria-label=\"Image: Getty\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Getty)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Fernando Torres believes Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard had the advantage over Chelsea icon Frank Lampard when it came to who was the better player. The former Spanish striker was a Liverpool hero before he controversially left for the Blues in January 2011.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Liverpool take on Chelsea this Saturday, with the rivals often facing off in the transfer window over the years. Torres&#8217; time at Anfield was underscored by his almost telepathic connection with Gerrard.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The duo combined a number of times to serve up some of Anfield&#8217;s most famous goals in its recent history. After scoring 81 times in just three-and-a-half years, he left for west London under a cloud.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Although the forward won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2012, it appears he reserves his fondest memories for Anfield. The debate over who was the better player between Gerrard and Lampard has raged since both players burst onto the scene at the turn of the Millennium.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Torres, however, had no such qualms in picking his favourite out of the pair. In a 2024 video, Torres was asked to answer a series of &#8216;this or that&#8217; questions by placing the ball on the relevant side of the goal and it&#8217;s fair to say the Reds came out on top.<\/p>\n<p><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_877b99\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">&#8216;I don&#8217;t think Cole Palmer was truthful about Man Utd links \u2013 you have to remember&#8217;<\/span><\/span><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_877b99\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">&#8216;I didn&#8217;t want to leave Liverpool &#8211; but one managerial decision made my mind up&#8217;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Torres elected Anfield over Stamford Bridge. Next, he opted for Gerrard over Lampard, before completing the treble by favouring Rafael Benitez over Jose Mourinho.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The two England icons have constantly been compared with many struggling to separate two of England&#8217;s most gifted midfielders. Italy legend Marco Materazzi once plucked for Lampard in the debate, Paul Scholes, who has often been included in the debate, chose to remain impartial while Rio Ferdinand chose Lampard for his goals but Gerrard for big-game moments.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-36157196\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36157196\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.44\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Fernando Torres of Liverpool celebrates scoring the opening goal with team mate Steven Gerrard (R) during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final First Leg match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield on April 8, 2009 in Liverpool, England. \" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36157196.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/1_GettyImages-85864912.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36157196.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/1_GettyImages-85864912.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36157196.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/1_GettyImages-85864912.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36157196.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/1_GettyImages-85864912.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Fernando Torres and Gerrard formed an impressive partnership\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Fernando Torres and Gerrard formed an impressive partnership<cite aria-label=\"Image: Clive Rose\/Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Clive Rose\/Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Despite his frosty departure from Merseyside, Torres returned to Anfield in 2024 for a legends match against Ajax, where he shared the pitch with Gerrard and other greats. The Kop faithful cheered him on as he scored, marking a full-circle moment in his relationship with the club.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Torres has spoken candidly about his move to Chelsea, stating that he felt he had no choice but to leave the club. He claimed Liverpool were more focused on signing young talent for future success rather than immediate impact players.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;They wanted to bring in young players, to build something new,&#8221; Torres is quoted as saying in Simon Hughes&#8217; 2016 book &#8216;Ring of Fire: Liverpool FC into the 21st Century &#8211; The Players&#8217; Stories&#8217;.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-9947291\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"9947291\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Fernando Torres of Chelsea is congratulated by team-mate Frank Lampard after scoring his team's fifth goal during the Capital One Cup Quarter-Final match between Leeds United and Chelsea at Elland Road on December 19, 2012\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article9947291.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Leeds-United-v-Chelsea-Capital-One-Cup-Quarter-Final.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article9947291.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_Leeds-United-v-Chelsea-Capital-One-Cup-Quarter-Final.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article9947291.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Leeds-United-v-Chelsea-Capital-One-Cup-Quarter-Final.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article9947291.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Leeds-United-v-Chelsea-Capital-One-Cup-Quarter-Final.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Torres linked up with Lampard at Chelsea\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Torres linked up with Lampard at Chelsea<cite aria-label=\"Image: Laurence Griffiths\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Laurence Griffiths)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;I was thinking to myself, this takes time to work. It takes two, three, four, maybe even 10 years. I didn&#8217;t have that time. I was 27 years old. I did not have time to wait. I wanted to win. Here we are five years later and they are still trying to build \u2013 around the same position in the league as when I left.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">In 2019, Torres expressed his enduring affection for Liverpool, saying: &#8220;I&#8217;m really proud to say I will support Liverpool forever, it doesn&#8217;t matter what happened.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Even when things between us were not at their best, I felt that I needed to support Liverpool. The city, fans and club will always be in my heart because it&#8217;s the way I feel and I cannot change that.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><em>Join our LFC WhatsApp community and get all the latest LFC news, views, transfer gossip and more, as it happens We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don&#8217;t like our community, you can check out any time you like. 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