Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard has praised Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice for his commanding performance during the Champions League semi-final first leg against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday. Speaking to TNT Sports after the match at the Metropolitano, Gerrard highlighted Rice’s influence on the game.
According to Gerrard, Rice was outstanding, particularly in the opening 45 minutes. He described the England international as dominant in all phases of play, whether in or out of possession. The former midfielder noted that Rice operated in a deeper role than usual, dropping between the centre-backs to provide an extra man in buildup, a tactical adjustment to counter Atletico’s two-man press.
The match ended in a 1-1 stalemate, with goals from Viktor Gyokeres and Julian Alvarez coming from the penalty spot. The second leg is set to take place next week, with everything to play for.