Suarez’s the best player I’ve played with – Gerrard

In this interview, ex-Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, who is now with LA Galaxy, tellsfcbarcelona.com before Galaxy’s match against Barcelona on Tuesday, that he believes Barça are ‘probably the best team on the planet right now’

You are going to play a pre-season game against a Barça side who won the treble last season. How do you see FC Barcelona as a club and what do you think of their current squad?

I think they are a fantastic club, a huge institution in football and very successful. They are European Champions and they are probably the best team on the planet at the moment. They have world class players and probably the most dangerous strike force out there and a wonderful manager who is doing well. I see a bright future for Barcelona and it’s a pleasure and an honour for us to test ourselves against them in a pre-season game.



Are you looking forward to facing Luis Suárez and Mascherano in this game?

Not really (laughs), I don’t think anyone ever looks forward to playing against Luis Suárez, he is a fantastic talent and a very dangerous player. He is a good friend of mine, someone I enjoyed playing with and the same for Mascherano. He’s a little warrior, a top player who has done unbelievably well at Barcelona. I am looking forward to it, saying hello before and after the game, and also looking forward to testing myself in the game.

You have a good relationship with Suárez off the field, how is he as a team-mate and a friend?

He is a fantastic team mate, probably the best player I have played with. He’s good guy, a family man away from the pitch, we keep in touch and keep supporting each other throughout our careers, so yes, he is a good friend of mine.

What are you expectations playing with the Galaxy?

I expect to win. I am signing for the champions, I am settling in really well, I’m looking forward to a bright future. I have come here for one reason and one reason only and that is to win silverware. I’ll be very disappointed if I go home empty handed because I think the club, the staff and the players are set up to win and hopefully I can contribute to that.