Head_2-Head :: G8-FORCE

STEVEN GERRARD

TACKLING :: Gerrard started out as a combative defensive midfielder when he broke into the Liverpool team as a teenager, matured into a box-to-box central midfielder before becoming an attacker outright. His development also saw him gradually curb the disciplinary naivety and regular horrendous challenges. However, he retains a real bite and still relishes the physical battle.

ATTACKING :: Gerrard has blossomed into a fine attacking midfielder and has even prospered playing out wide on the right, which would have seemed highly unlikely when he made his debut as a raw youngster in 1998. He has long boasted a fierce shot and incisive passing but in recent years has developed his running with the ball and crossing.

LEADERSHIP :: Gerrard was identified as a future Liverpool captain right from his early days in the famous red strip. He is not the most vocal of skippers but does have motivational qualities and solid knowledge of the game.

TROPHIES :: At club level, only the Premiership title has so far eluded Gerrard. The midfielder has won the FA Cup twice, the League Cup twice, the UEFA Cup and Champions League plus several peripheral trophies such as the Community Shield and European Super Cup.

GENNARO GATTUSO

TACKLING :: Gattuso is arguably the best in his position in the world. Never likely to be a playmaker, the former Rangers favourite has earned legendary status at the San Siro as a straightforward midfield terrier, pushing the boundaries of the law with high-tempo, aggressive ball-winning.

ATTACKING :: 'Rino' certainly knows his limitations and has never craved freedom to get forward. Instead, he roams in front of the defensive line, harrying, snarling and sniping. Cliched it may be, but the World Cup-winner possesses more football ability than people give him credit for, keeping it simple but efficient.

LEADERSHIP :: Like Gerrard, Gattuso leads by example. But despite his position, style of play and infectious passion, he has never captained on a regular basis. He has been unfortunate that at international level Italy are rightly captained by Fabio Cannavaro and the great Paolo Maldini still wears the armband for Milan. Coach Carlo Ancelotti prefers Massimo Ambrosini as Maldini's deputy rather than Gattuso.

TROPHIES :: Gattuso also has a loaded mantlepiece. He helped Rangers to the Scottish League Cup in 1997-98. In 2003 he won a Champions League medal with Milan and also the Scudetto in 2004. He played a pivotal role in Italy's World Cup triumph in Germany last summer, continuing his partnership with club-mate Andrea Pirlo on the global stage under then national team boss Marcello Lippi.