CORNERFLICK
Steven Gerrard has said Lamine Yamal is ahead of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at 19. The former Liverpool captain made the claim on Sky Bet's Overlap Daily programme.
What Gerrard said
Gerrard said Yamal does things on the pitch he had never seen from a 19-year-old. He added that Messi and Ronaldo were more inclined towards the touchline at that stage of their careers, while Yamal already looks more advanced by comparison.
He also said the Barcelona winger's immediate impact is clear, but warned that consistency over time will be the real test. Gerrard questioned whether Yamal can keep the same output and whether he will eventually move into a central striking role to match the goal numbers set by Messi and Ronaldo.
The bigger challenge
Gerrard said Yamal sits above other young players around the world, but added that the main challenge will be around him rather than with him. He said the people closest to the player, including Barcelona's coaches and staff, will have to keep his desire to win intact.
Gerrard added that Yamal will need to stay hungry for team trophies as well as individual honours if he is to keep moving forward.