Having played for Liverpool, Real Madrid and Manchester City, Steve McManaman knows a thing or two about representing some of the biggest clubs in world football.
Sports Mole caught up with the former England international - now a pundit for broadcaster ESPN - yesterday to talk about the game at home and abroad.
Kenny Dalglish recently ended Liverpool's six-year wait for a trophy. How do you think the Scot has done since returning to the club 14 months ago?
"Each person has their own way of achieving success, don't they? When we comment about Arsenal we always say they haven't won a trophy since 2005. Kenny has delivered it within 13 months of his tenure. That is a successful year in charge without a doubt. What are they now, 28 points behind Manchester United? That's certainly not good enough. We associate Liverpool with getting into the Champions League. I know they are in Europe next year so that's a start. They are also in the semi-final of the FA Cup which is brilliant. After 14 months I certainly think it is going in the right direction. At the start of the season I didn't expect miracles from Liverpool or for them to be challenging for the title. I wanted an improvement on last year's form and I think I've got that. If they win the trophies this year then great. Next year they can build on the league form because we're flagging behind in the league without a shadow of a doubt."
What will the reaction be like to today's 2-1 loss at home to Wigan Athletic?
"There's going to be a lot of criticism after this result today. It was a grim result especially after the QPR result in the week. Let's just hope they can do well in the FA Cup."
Carlos Tevez recently ended his six-month exile away from another of your former clubs, Manchester City. If you were still in the City dressing room, how would you have reacted to his return?
"As a player I would have accepted him back. If you're his teammate, all you're interested in is winning the Premier League. I think the whole affair has not been good and has been slightly distasteful. After the manager saying he's finished I was surprised that he actually got back into the squad and played, to be honest. I don't think that it has been a well-handled affair whatsoever. I thought it was well handled, but now he is back in and people are talking about him in a glowing references again which is slightly disappointing."
Another former club of yours, Real Madrid, have had their lead in La Liga cut to six points recently. How do you rate their chances of breaking Barcelona's domestic dominance this season?
"They still should win it. They still have to go to the Nou Camp but you'd love a six-point gap in La Liga at this point. They're at home this weekend against Real Sociedad and they really should win [they did, 5-1]."
How about in the Champions League? Will we see Real go up against Barcelona in the final?
"I think the best two teams in Europe this year are Real Madrid and Barcelona by a long way. I know Bayern are at a good side at home but if you study Bayern's league form they are not top of the league which shows they've got weaknesses somewhere. We all presume that Barcelona are favourites to get to the final. A Barcelona against Real Madrid final would be incredible. It is set up to be a wonderful event this year."
With Euro 2012 just around the corner, talk has started regarding the England squad. Having played abroad during your career, do you believe that the national team would benefit from some of the squad plying their trade abroad and learning different styles of play?
"Everybody seemingly wants to play in the Premier League. Maybe the fact that Barcelona and Real Madrid are now so popular means that people will gravitate away from the Premier League. The Premier League has always been known to be the most professional league, having the best facilities and the best of everything really. If you look at the England side, a lot of them are very settled here and they've got families here. The wrench to leave and go from A to B might be difficult. When I went I didn't have any children and my wife was in a job where she could take some time off and we could go and enjoy ourselves. However, someone like Wayne Rooney has a lot of family here and he is playing for arguably one of the biggest clubs in the world. I don't think that [moving abroad] is a big issue. I wouldn't worry about it."
McManaman was talking to Sports Mole at the ESPN studios ahead of the Stoke City vs. Manchester City game last night.
