“It was a masterstroke”: Liverpool legend hails Barcelona for Xavi appointment

Speaking after the game between Barcelona and Liverpool legends, former Reds captain Steven Gerrard has hailed the appointment of Xavi Hernandez as the manager of the Catalans’ first team.

Xavi took over the reins at Barcelona in November last year, coming in as a replacement for Ronald Koeman after a torrid start to the season. The 42-year-old has done a sterling job so far, bringing back the Barça identity within the team while leading them to some eye-catching results.

Indeed, the Blaugrana thrashed arch-rivals Real Madrid 4-0 in their most recent encounter just prior to the international break. And Gerrard has lavished praise on the former midfielder, insisting that the decision to appoint him as the manager was a masterstroke by the Catalans.

“I think the choice of Xavi was a masterstroke by Barcelona,” said Gerrard (h/t FC Barcelona). “He is someone who has Barcelona in his DNA and who was a world-class player for so many years.

“He knows the style that everyone around Barcelona wants to see. And after a difficult few years they seem to be getting back to where they need to be,” he added.

Under Xavi, Barça have moved up to third place in the La Liga standings while they have also booked their place in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League. The team are playing an eye-catching brand of football and have been scoring goals for fun as well.

There has been a lot of progress achieved by the Catalans since the former midfielder was named manager and Gerrard insisted that he is happy to see Barça do well.

“As a Barcelona fan from afar, I like to see that they are doing very well,” the Liverpool legend, who is currently the manager of Aston Villa, admitted.

As for the game between the Barcelona and Liverpool legends, the Blaugrana emerged 2-1 victors, thanks to goals from Giovanni Silva and Rivaldo, while Gerrard was on target for the Reds.