Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has made a stunning admission about his England career, revealing the one international teammate he desperately wishes he could have played alongside more often.
The former Reds captain, who earned 114 caps for the Three Lions between 2000 and 2014, opened up about his international regrets during a candid discussion on football partnerships that never reached their full potential.
The Dream Partnership That Never Was
Gerrard didn't hesitate when asked which England colleague he'd have loved more time with on the pitch. "Wayne Rooney," he stated emphatically. "I don't think we played enough together."
Despite both being central figures in the England setup for over a decade, Gerrard believes their partnership was never fully maximised. The statistics tell a compelling story - of Rooney's record 53 international goals, only five were assisted by his fellow English icon.
Missed Opportunities and Tactical Puzzles
The midfield maestro expressed frustration at how rarely they connected decisively for the national team: "When you look at the amount of times I found him at Liverpool with Fernando Torres, it happened so naturally. With England, it never quite happened like that."
Gerrard's analysis points to deeper issues within the England setup during their era. The constant managerial changes and tactical reshuffles meant that partnerships rarely had time to develop the intuitive understanding that comes with consistency.
A Liverpool Comparison That Highlights the Problem
Drawing parallels with his club success, Gerrard highlighted his prolific connection with Fernando Torres at Anfield. The Spanish striker scored 33 Premier League goals during their time together, with Gerrard providing assists for nearly half of them.
"That connection with Torres was instant," Gerrard recalled. "We just clicked from day one. With Wayne, despite all our years together for England, we never found that same wavelength."
The Weight of International Expectations
Both players carried enormous responsibility for their country during what many consider a golden generation of English talent. Gerrard's revelation sheds new light on why this talented era failed to deliver major tournament success.
The former midfielder's comments suggest that England's failure wasn't necessarily about individual quality, but rather the inability to forge the club-level understandings that make top international teams successful.
As current England stars like Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane develop their own partnerships, Gerrard's reflections serve as a poignant reminder of what might have been for one of England's most gifted midfielders and his prolific would-be partner.
