Which players still have the most to offer clubs in their twilight years…
Former Liverpool star John Barnes has told BBC Sport that Steven Gerrard is still good enough to be contributing to the club’s first-team. He said: “While I can understand Steven Gerrard is not the player he once was, he is still very, very important to the club.”
SEE MORE:
Liverpool Flop Mario Balotelli’s Potentially Racist Instagram Post Draws Response From Arsenal Boss Arsene Wenger
Ten Premier League Stars Who Have Six Games To Avoid Being Sold, Including Liverpool Trio
The Unhappy German Veteran Who Could Save Liverpool’s Season
At 34, Gerrard is certainly in the twilight years of his career, but there is certainly no reason why he can’t enjoy continued success. Here are ten players aged 33 or over who are still plying their trade at the top level:
10) Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)
While the goalkeeper might not quite be what he once was, the Spaniard was still a Champions League winner last season, and has continued to feature on a regular basis for one of the best team’s in the world.
9) Antonio Di Natale (Udinese)
A player who has improved with age, and has scored 215 goals in 397 games since joining Udinese in 2004, aged 27. I think it’s safe to say that the Italian side got more than they expected from a player who has netted ten times already this year.
8) Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus)
The World Cup winning goalkeeper has been a loyal servant to Juventus over the last decade plus, sticking with them through their relegation, decline, and return to superiority. A club and country legend who continues to be invaluable.
7) Francesco Totti (AS Roma)
Another iconic Italian who has proved in this season’s Champions League that he’s still one of the deadliest finishers of all time. Surely Roma’s greatest ever player will have his legend immortalised when he does finally hang up his boots.
6) Xavi (Barcelona)
The passing master might have had his role reduced in recent times at Barcelona, but the Spaniard can still change a game with his experience and skill. He’s won virtually everything that there is for both club and country, and in style.
5) Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
Another one-club icon, the Liverpool captain comes close to being the club’s greatest player of all time, having almost single-handedly led them to their fifth Champions League success in 2005. An inspirational leader who would love one final major success before the end of his career.
4) John Terry (Chelsea)
Captain, leader, legend, we’ve got another one here with Chelsea’s ever-present defensive rock. He may not have featured as the Blues finally won the Champions League for the first time a couple of years ago, but he’s brought so much else to the club, and helped transform them into the force we see today.
3) Xabi Alonso (Bayern Munich)
A seemingly ageless midfielder who continues to dominate and impress in equal share. Whether at Liverpool, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, the Spaniard has run games and led his team to success. One of the best of his generation.
2) Andrea Pirlo (Juventus)
See Xabi Alonso for full details. You could have copied and pasted those words, changed the club names, and they would have been equally applicable for one of the best midfielders to walk the planet in recent years. Remains a joy to watch.
1) Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris Saint Germain)
Who doesn’t love Zlatan – the arrogance, the goals, the sheer brilliance. There are few better out-and-out strikers around in the world, and the big Swede is still perfectly capable of turning it on at the top level. A truly brilliant player.
SEE ALSO: The Best Liverpool goals.