Steven Gerrard Praises Nicolo Barella Amid Liverpool Rumors

Steven Gerrard praised the quality of Nicolo Barella ahead of Inter Milan’s Champions League victory over rivals AC Milan at the San Siro. Gerrard, the former Liverpool captain, watched on as the Italian midfielder helped inspire a 2-0 win in the first leg of the semi-final of the Milan derby on Wednesday night. Barella has reportedly piqued the interest of Liverpool scouts in recent weeks, with Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio telling Sky Sports that the Reds are “one of the most interested clubs” when it comes to his signature. Gerrard was full of praise for Inter’s No. 23, having seen his performance against England in the UEFA Nation’s League earlier this year. He said that Barella had done well against England’s Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice, and that he was coming into his prime. The notion of the Italian approaching his “prime” years highlights that he is a couple of years older than the majority of Liverpool’s reported midfield targets. Reports have valued Barella between €50 million and €75 million, with Sky Sports’ Melissa Reddy indicating that he could be available for around £50 million. It appears that Barella has caught the eye of perhaps the club’s greatest-ever player in that position, Steven Gerrard.