Zlatan Ibrahimovic has said he would like to see Steven Gerrard play for “a big international club”. The Swedish striker was speaking yesterday, during preparation’s for tonight’s friendly between England and Sweden.

Gerrard looks set to earn his 100th cap for England tonight and Ibrahimovic, while still recognising Liverpool as a big club, expressed his regret that the England midfielder, who he sees as a “fantastic player”, had never played outside of England. The PSG striker said, “Of course Liverpool is a big club but I would like to see Steven in a big international club.”

“He is a very good person to have as a team-mate in your team. He always gives 200 percent, is a good fighter, and has good skills and a good touch with the ball also.

“He feels more like an international player, rather than a normal English player. English players have big hearts and are always fighting, very aggressive, but for me, Gerrard feels more international.

“He has more skills than the normal player.”

Ibrahimovic wasn’t the only source of praise for Gerrard from within the Swedish camp, with coach Eric Hamren saying,

“I really like him as a player. He has something extra. I’m sorry he has had some injuries which have maybe stopped his top level. But when he is not injured, he is a top player because of his skills to read the game and his skills to make the passes, especially the long ones.

“He has shown how good he is for England and his club.”