Steven Gerrard says Liverpool once had a young talent better than Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe

Steven Gerrard says Liverpool once had a young talent better than Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe. Arne Slot may boast one of the best Liverpool sides in Premier League history, but some truly exceptional names have played at Anfield over the years.

For the first time in recent memory, Liverpool are acting like a global institution after beating Bayern Munich and Manchester City to the club record-signing of Florian Wirtz – one of the best players in Germany.

Gerrard claimed 10 major trophies at Anfield, with his most successful period occurring during the historic 2000/01 treble-winning season, where he starred alongside fellow Scousers Jamie Carragher and Robbie Fowler.

However, there is one player Gerrard played alongside during his time with the Reds, who also featured prominently in the treble-winning squad, who he claims was a more gifted teenager than global superstars Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe.

In 2005, Gerrard’s Champions League final heroics left Hernan Crespo in awe after the then-Liverpool captain kicked off what is now widely remembered as one of the greatest European comebacks in history.

And although Gerrard is often the first player that springs to mind when one thinks of Liverpool, it is impossible not to give Michael Owen his flowers, despite the circumstances.

The former Reds forward cuts a controversial figure among the Anfield faithful, most notably for his outspoken public opinions, such as when Owen defended Trent Alexander-Arnold against disgruntled supporters following the news of his decision to join Real Madrid.

Nevertheless, Gerrard chooses to remember his former teammate fondly and believes his legacy is greater than the one being currently carved by Yamal and Mbappe.

“The other two are chasing the Ballon d’Or, and one’s got one (Owen). So, I think you have to respect the fact that Michael Owen has been voted the best player in the world.

“I played with him. He was an incredible teenager. So I’d have to say Michael Owen.

“But what I would say is Mbappe and Lamine Yamal – wow, they’re going to be two incredible players.”

Owen notched 24 goals and seven assists across all competitions in the 2000/01 season as he helped Liverpool secure the UEFA Cup, FA Cup and League Cup treble.

He scored both goals in the FA Cup final against Arsenal to single-handedly win the final, and his exploits saw Owen named the first and only Reds player to win the Ballon d’Or that year, at 22.

Based on individual merit, Mbappe fares as the more productive teenager, having recorded 33 more goal contributions than Owen at the same age, when he won the Ballon d’Or.

Indeed, Owen will be remembered as a Premier League great, but stepping outside of English football, it is hard to argue that Mbappe has had a more significant impact on the game, having won the World Cup with France in 2018.

When factoring in major trophies achieved, Yamal also has Owen beat on the international stage following his Euro 2024 victory with Spain.

Nevertheless, Owen was undoubtedly a generational player for Liverpool. However, the Reds could be witnessing another player of that calibre come through the ranks after Rio Ngumoha’s sensational pre-season at 16.