Wanyama: Gerrard midfield battle toughest so far

Kenya’s Victor Wanyama has said that playing against England's Steven Gerrard in Southampton’s 1-0 win over Liverpool last week as “the hardest midfield battle” he has ever had.

In his debut Footballers’ Football Column in the Daily Mail on Monday, Wanyama describes Gerrard as “my toughest opponent so far” in the Saints surprise win at Anfield which knocked the Merseysiders off the top of the table.

Southampton, who were themselves briefly up to fourth place on Saturday night following their 2-0 win over Crystal Palace (before Liverpool won 3-1 at Sunderland on Sunday), said that the two games proved his move to the English Premier League was correct.

“I came to the Premier League because I wanted to test myself and move to the next level. There is no doubt it has been tough but I am enjoying it,” Wanyama writes. “The best way to learn is to play against good players (such as) Steven Gerrard. I knew of him but playing against him, I learned so much more.”

In his column Wanyama also reflects on the terrorist attack in Nairobi in which he said that “it has been a devastating time for people back in my homeland following the atrocities of Westgate Mall. It’s very sad that things like this happen. We are all one human family and I wish we could all share peace.”