Rio Ferdinand has opened up on the “hate” between him and Steven Gerrard during their time with England. The Manchester United and Liverpool stars shared the international stage for the majority of their playing careers.
Ferdinand made 81 appearances for the Three Lions between 1997 and 2011, with Gerrard earning 114 caps for England between 2000 and 2014. Despite their talents they were unable to help end the country’s long wait for a major trophy.
A reason for that, according to Ferdinand, was the animosity between United and Liverpool, which leaked into the England dressing room and left Gerrard in particular at odds with the defender.
Speaking to The Times (via Mirror), he said: “Steven Gerrard didn’t like me and I didn’t really like him. There was hate between us and our teams (Manchester United and Liverpool). But we’ve put that all to one side now.”
It is not the first time that Gerrard’s feud with Ferdinand has been discussed. The pair also came together last year to discuss their time within the England camp.
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Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents, the Liverpool icon said: “I think we were all egotistical losers. Because I watch the telly now and I see (Jamie) Carragher sitting next to Paul Scholes on this fan debate and they look like they’ve been best mates for 20 years.
“And I see Carragher’s relationship with Gary Neville and they look like they’ve been mates for 20 years. I’m probably more close and friendly with you now than I ever was when I played with you for 15 years.
“So why didn’t we connect when we were 20, 21, 22, 23? Was it ego? Was it rivalry? Why are we all mature enough now and at stages in our life where we’re closer and more connected now?
“Why couldn’t we connect as England team-mates back then? And I think it was down to the culture within England that we were all never connected. All in our rooms too much. We weren’t a team.”
