Gerrard earns Ibra praise

Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic sees St
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even Gerrard as unlike any other English other player ahead of the Liverpool star’s 100th England cap.

Sweden will attempt to nullify the 32-year-old on his landmark appearance when Erik Hamren’s side welcome England in a friendly in Stockholm on Wednesday.

And the PSG attacker has praised Gerrard’s loyalty towards his club side after he recently passed the 600-game mark for the Merseyside outfit.

“I think Steven Gerrard is a fantastic player,” Ibrahimovic said.

“He has been loyal to his club, he has won some big trophies with the club. He always plays at a high level when he is not injured.

“He is a very good person to have as a team-mate in your team. He always gives 200 percent, is a good fighter and has good skills and a good touch with the ball also.

“He feels more like an international player rather than a normal English player.

“English players have big hearts, always fighting, very aggressive, but for me Gerrard feels more international. He has more skills than the normal player.”

Hamren also praised Gerrard particularly for his unique ability to read the game and range of long passes.

“I really like him as a player. He has something extra. I’m sorry he has had some injuries which have maybe stopped his top level,” Hamren said.

“But when he is not injured, he is a top player because of his skills to read the game and his skills to make the passes, especially the long ones.”