Steven Gerrard heaps praise on Liverpool target Nicolo Barella’s ‘creativity’

Steven Gerrard heaps praise on Liverpool target Nicolo Barella’s ‘creativity’ and feels the Inter Milan midfielder is ‘coming into his prime’ ahead of their 2-0 Champions League semi-final win over arch-rivals AC Milan

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard heaped praise on Inter Milan star Nicolo Barella ahead of their Champions League semi-final clash with arch-rivals AC Milan.

The midfielder has been a key player at the San Siro for the past four years, winning Serie A and the Coppa Italia.

He was also a key part of the Italy side that won the Euros in 2021, and has racked up 43 caps for his country.

He is now being chased by Jurgen Klopp‘s side, and is expected to set them back around £75 million.

Gerrard said of the 26-year-old on BT Sport: ‘He’s creative, he can nick important goals. I watched him against England in Naples and he was involved in all parts of the game. 

Nicolo Barella has become a key player for Inter Milan over the past few seasons

He was praised by Steven Gerrard on BT Sport following talk of the midfielder joining Liverpool

He was praised by Steven Gerrard on BT Sport following talk of the midfielder joining Liverpool

‘He did really well against Bellingham, a good age as well coming into his prime. Up against one of his Italy team-mates in [Sandro] Tonali as well, it will be interesting to see who comes out on top because we know the midfield area is so important.’ 

Inter Milan went on to enjoy an excellent start at the San Siro, racing into a 2-0 lead inside the first 11 minutes.

Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored the early goals, and Simone Inzaghi’s side could have gone three ahead had they not been denied a penalty by VAR after half an hour.

The game finished 2-0, leaving the Rossoneri with a mountain to climb in the rest of the tie, as they aim for a first Champions League final appearance since 2007.  

Real Madrid and Man City are the other two sides in the last four, and drew the first leg of their semi 1-1 at the Bernabeu on Tuesday night.