Henry: I'd Love Gerrard Link-Up!

Gunners hero Theirry Henry has often stated that Anfield is a special footballing arena, prompting wild rumours that the striker would be packing his bags for Liverpool when the transfer window opened.

The Barcelona and France forward has now admitted that one of the footballers he admires the most, and one whom he wished he could play in the same side with, is Liverpool and England midfielder Steven Gerrard.

It is coming up to ten years since Gerrard made his debut in a Reds shirt, and Henry first played on the same pitch as the scouser in August 1999.

The Kid Comes Good

The north London side left Merseyside with zero points after suffering a 2-0 defeat, but Henry walked off the pitch asking international team-mate Patrick Vieira who the 'kid in midfield' was. The answer his compatriot gave was: "Steven Gerrard... He is going to be brilliant."

In an interview with Liverpool's official website, Henry also spoke of his relationship with the Reds' number 8, and what history will make of the influential Champions League winning 28-year old.
 
"I played against Liverpool and Stevie G many times, and when you appreciate a player so much and see them at every game, you talk. I always told him how much I admired him and he said the same to me. We exchanged numbers and kept in touch from there," Henry said, explaining how the pair's friendship blossomed.
 
Regarding the possibility of Henry playing for Liverpool alongside Gerrard, Arsenal's record goalscorer explained: "It was mentioned but it would have been difficult for me to go to another Premier League club after Arsenal. We talked about it but nothing was in it, really. It was just us talking about our wishes.

"He is an inspiration," Henry continued. "He reminds me of Patrick Vieira in that he doesn't talk too much. He just does what he does. He inspires Liverpool without talking. I find it a disgrace that he didn't win European Football of the Year in 2005 after Istanbul. For me, he is one of the best ever."

Gerrard = Liverpool

Concerning Gerrard's continuing status as a one-club man, Henry mentioned: "It happens more in England than in other countries. There is a thing in England where people want to play for their hometown team and be the local hero - be like the people they used to look up to."

Henry believes what Gerrard has accomplished in the game after ten years is 'amazing': "He has been everywhere for 10 years: putting his foot in, scoring goals, passing and being committed to his club. No one can ever doubt his commitment to Liverpool.

"He, for me, is Liverpool," the French legend concluded.

Alan Dawson