Steven Gerrard Says Jude Bellingham Is Better Than He Was At His Age

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard believes that Jude Bellingham is a much better player than he was at the age of 19.

Gerrard made his Premier League debut six months after his 18th birthday and his first England cap came one day after he turned 20.

Bellingham, who will be 20 in June, has already represented his country 24 times at senior international level.

The former Birmingham City midfielder has also played more than 120 games for Borussia Dortmund.

Gerrard was part of a Channel 4 punditry panel that interviewed Bellingham after England's 2-0 win over Ukraine on Sunday.

England midfielder Jude Bellingham pictured during a 2-0 win over Ukraine

IMAGO/Focus Images/Paul Chesterton

Presenter Jules Breach asked Bellingham to name his biggest role models, before pointing at Gerrard.

After a few seconds of smiling and laughing, Bellingham replied with a straight face: "Yeah, definitely.

"The things that Stevie could do, in terms of the teams he played in, the way he could carry a team, the way he could singlehandedly win a game, he could do everything as a midfielder.

"I've said it multiple times how I've looked up to you and your game, so it's a pleasure to be stood here right now."

After thanking Bellingham for his compliment, Gerrard told him: "Listen, let me tell you right now, you are a lot further ahead than I was at your age, so you're going in the right direction, that's for sure."

Bellingham, trying to remain humble, said in response: "[I've got] a long way to go, a long way to go."

Gerrard was then asked by Breach to elaborate and he added: "For one, he's got a better body than what I had at 19. I never had that power and strength until probably 22 or 23, so he's definitely more physically developed than me.

"He's more confident than me on the ball, in terms of what he'll try and stuff. I'm not just saying that to be modest. That's the truth. He is further on than I was at 19.

"Don't get me wrong, I got to where I wanted to get to. And he'll naturally get to where he wants to if he carries on doing what he's doing.

"But he's in a fantastic place. Everything else around him, he needs to just park it up and keep playing well. Keep playing well and everything else will take care of itself."

Asked by Breach how those words from Gerrard made him feel, Bellingham said: "Really good, really good. But like he says, there is a long way to go."

Liverpool are among a host of clubs keen to sign Bellingham.

Manchester City and Real Madrid are also said to be interested.