I’ve always found Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney to be similar characters – tremendously gifted, central to their respective teams, highly regarded by their peers and irresistible to watch on the pitch.
But are they really that similar?
Steven Gerrard
It’s hard not to be impressed by Steven Gerrard. He gives his 110% on the pitch every game, no matter what the occasion and quite remarkably, has trascended to a level of playing where he just bangs out games at high consistency, without any hint of a drop in form.
He is the Liverpool captain, a Scouser by heart and soul and a product of the Liverpool academy. Despite the chances and temptations of greener pastures in London, Gerrard has stuck to his roots (for whatever reasons) and since winning the Champions League has refused to look back at what he left behind.
He has critics – he’s not so great as to avoid any criticism – but no one can deny the drive and quality he brings to the game. There are always questions about his ability to change the game or have any meaningful impact, whether he can show up in the big games…these questions are always answered with a match-turning goal or a superhuman performance, and the critics are silenced once again.
Under Rafael Benitez Gerrard has been pushed out to the right wing, from where he doesn’t do as much damage as before, but don’t let that fool you – he is the one Liverpool player ANY club in the world would snap up in a heartbeat – and that is praise enough for one of the top midfielders in the world.
Gerrard is tactically astute, can cross and play on the wings, can trackback, defend and tackles well, has a vicious shot and quality finishing to go with it, can play the Hollywood passes as well as the simple ones and is, perhaps, one of the most complete players in the business.
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney – boy wonder – has many detractors as well as admirers of his considerable talents. He is the most complete and talented striker on Manchester United’s books, the best striker England have at the moment and is easily one of the best strikers on form in the Premiership and in Europe at the moment (your mileage may vary).
He’s foul-mouthed, has visited brothels as a teenager, costs 27m and at the age of 21, is already established as one of the first names on the teamsheet whenever Manchester United or England come calling. He is also, like Gerrard, one of those rare players who any team in the world would love to snap up, such is his quality and talent.
In the early part of his career Wayne Rooney has had to play with Ruud van Nistelrooy and Michael Owen because of which he was played (and subsequently billed) as a support striker (23 goals in a season for a support striker aren’t bad, are they?), but he’s much more than that. Rooney’s versatile nature means that he can play target man, on the wings and even in midfield if the need arises.
You need a special brand of confidence to try the goals Rooney sometimes tries, and that can only come from an abundance of natural talent.
Like Gerrard, Rooney is also seen as being groomed for captaincy. He’s often given the captain’s armband, reflecting his importance to the team and the trust the manager places in him.
Steven Gerrard vs Wayne Rooney
Can Wayne Rooney be as good as Steven Gerrard in 3 years?
The way Rooney hasn’t improved by leaps and bounds the last few seasons as Ronaldo has,i doubt he’ll be as good as Gerrard sooner…But he’s more than good enough though as himself…
Missed your attention… he’s also a scouser!
RR – I thought I’d let someone point that out 🙂
Interesting….but i still love Stevie G at his original position…box-to-box midfielder, only Roy Keane and Viera excelled in that position. Ballack played that role in Munich but he’s out of sort in Chelsea. Probably that role will extinct since the use of holding midfielders?
Yeah.. but how many actually good holding midfielders are there…. there is no many….
It is a considerable measure of truth and practical reality…Stevie Gerrard is a complete player,thrilling to watch and rewarding to Liverpool;simply next to none.I always admire the passion,hard work and principled leadership that he displays on the pitch.I would love to see him play with another intelligent and accomplished player in the game,Kaka.
stevie gerrard and wayne rooney play in different positions so i dont see how you can compare them. i am a liverpool fan and dont get me wrong i think wayne rooney is a great talent however if you want to compare steven gerrard and wayne rooney then id pick gerrard coz unlike rooney gerrard has played in nearly every postion for liverpool, when asked to play at right back in the mersyside derby, gerrard was described as being played int hat position all his life, Im sure every top european club wants gerrard at this present time. personally i think gerrard is way more better than rooney wheather you look at it in 10 years time…!
I agree with aamir. I supported Liverpool in the ’05 CL final only because it pained to see a player of his caliber without any major trophies. The english managers have a real talent in the midfield in gerrard and sadly, it is all going to waste by trying to accomodate that retard Lampard. Though Gerrard seemed initially injury prone, he has been consistent in the last 3-4 years. He is a ‘leader on the field’ like Keane and Viera and he’s got much better temperament than both of them. Pardon me, Rooney is nothing in comparison. The promise is definitely there and he has a good team as support and things can improve, but as of now, there can be no comparison. And please Rooney is in no way a Maradona or Pele. We heard quite a lot of that before the last world cup………
steven gerrard are the best in the world
Stevie G all the way !!!!!
i love steven gerrard
liverpool is dead good
Steven Gerrard = World Class Midfielder…
Apart from their IQ, they are very different players to each other. I’m not going to get into a whose better debate, but…
Has anyone seen Rooney’s vision and gameplay lately?
Just like last year was Ronaldo’s, I strongly believe that this year is Rooney’s. He is just un-believable lately.
I am a VERY great admirer of Carlos Tevez. I have to admit though. Rooney is actually starting to outshine him.
Steven Gerrard is the best midfielder in the world, and is a far more complete player than Wayne Rooney. I’ll happily debate with anyone who thinks otherwise 🙂
Shaun, I’m glad you feel that way. I hope you can say the same after the summer (I heard a rumour from a very reliable source…).
Or, will he also be a case of ‘Hero-to-Zero’ in next to no time?
Karl as long as he doesn’t go to United, Chelsea or Everton, Steven Gerrard will always remain a hero of mine and the best player on the planet, next to Riccy Kaka
both englishmen, both scousers, both match winners. both can switch from intelligent football 2 brute savaging on the field, watch power behind some of their goals.
@ start of both careers there has been a little 2 much unhealthy red cards. both r leaders, passionate players.
but gerrard has less accuracy n u get the feeling he does not like the spotlight. further, gerrard is more loyal, does not beat his wife, does not ostentatiously visit brothels, is very responsible.
in the end, rooney may be the the better player but gerrard is the better man.. by far. Remember: once a blue, always a red…
Both Scousers but without a shadow of a doubt Steven Gerrards all round game brings alot more to a team than waynes game,wayne doesnt tackle and hasnt got the engine of gerrard give me 11 of stevie g before rooney.
Steven Gerrard is the bom. you are a legend mate!!
How can u say Rooney doesn’t tackle? He chases back all of the time and is a very good tackler(especially when compared to other strikers)
Rooney’s all-round game brings as much to Unites as Gerrard’s brings to his Liverpool team. Furthermore, Rooney’s engine is right up there with the Gerrard’s also.
Due to age, Rooney is a little bit behind Gerrard at the moment, but I believe that Rooney will pass Gerrard in the years to come.
steven gerrard is the most powerfull hitter of a football since marradona and pele . but so is rooney but he is an man’united scum. steven gerrard is my best player in the world
stivie g is the best and always will be
stivie g is a total legend and i would pay £1000000 to meet him eventhough ive got his sighniture of him at the liverpool vs everton match and he played great i loved watching him play.all of the kids at school say someone from leeds united should be my best player because thats my city where i live
steve g is better than any player in thr world
but we were crap on saterday when we played reding
fit
Steven gerrard is the best in the world
from R!4n In Indonesian
If u want to compare the pair. Just look at what they do for England. Even though i am a liverpool fan… i really think that Gerrard delivers more for england than Rooney.
Hey gerrard was top goalscorer for ENG in WC 2006!!! Both england and liverpool look like nothing wen Steve isnt there. So Gerrard is basically a footballing genius 🙂
what is the difference????? the difference is that gerrard is a hundred times hotteeeeeeeeer!!!! i love him
I think rooney is best in the world , and gerrard is a good player but rooney is better..(L)(K)
wayne rooney is the best player in english premiership aftef c.ronaldo, and i respect him
I respect Rooney but I dont like his game. He atcks like an animal.
Both crap over rated players – Steven Gerrard never seen him take on any one and always shoot and hopes I wont even mention the lack of skill.
Wayne Rooney – the most over rated player in the world!