Zinedine Zidane has revealed his deep admiration for Steven Gerrard ahead of his Liverpool swansong, declaring that the Reds captain often reminded him of himself.

The World Cup winner and Real Madrid legend came up against the Scouse midfielder just once in his career, a meeting between France and England at Euro 2004.

But he was sufficiently impressed to urge Santiago Bernabeu chiefs to sign the Huyton-born star that summer, and subsequently went on to marvel at his achievements from afar when that move did not materialise.

Now Zidane, a man who picked up a string of honours during an incredible career for both club and country, has paid Gerrard the ultimate compliment.

He says the 34-year-old, who will call time on his Anfield career after Sunday's game at Stoke City, is just like him - on and off the field.

"He's a player that I really thought a lot of, I had a lot of time for him and rated him. I can't say that about everyone," he told LFCTV's 'Gerrard: My Liverpool'.

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"Why did I like him so much? Perhaps there was something about him that reminded me a little bit of myself.

"He made a lot of noise out there on the field but was quiet off it, meaning that he was someone down to earth and grounded away from the game who just said what needed to be said.

"He preferred to do his talking on the field, using his voice, his combative spirit and above all his ability on the ball that could make the difference in a game."

Reflecting on Real's failure to tempt Gerrard to Spain, Zidane added: "I would have really liked to have played alongside him. But he has always remained loyal to his own club, Liverpool, the club of his heart.

"That also is another characteristic that is particular to him, I don't think there are too many players who have spent their entire career playing for just one club.

"That is a great strength of his too. It was never possible, because of course he stayed with Liverpool, but I would have loved to play with a guy like him."

The Frenchman, who now serves as a coach for Real's youth team, also spoke about what made Gerrard stand out from his peers.

He believes it is the club captain's perfect mix of aggression and technique that ensured he was a star.

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He said: "It's simply that he's one of the few players, and I must come back to his combative spirit here, who is a superb technician, who is great on the ball, but who mixed in those fighting qualities with everything he did.

"And he led everyone else and pushed them on to do more and perform better.

"For me he is a stand-out player, different to that typically English trait that we talk so much about, of battling hard from the first minute to the 90th, and never easing up.

"What made him different to other players was that he could light up a game with his skill and technique. That was the difference."