What Steven Gerrard personally said about Harrison Armstrong amid Everton exit fury
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard may be a disliked figure among the Everton fanbase, but not many will disagree with his thoughts on Harrison Armstrong.
Everton agreed to sell Armstrong to fellow Premier League side Nottingham Forest in a £40million deal towards the end of the summer transfer window.
However, amid fan backlash both online and at the Vitality Stadium, where Everton played Bournemouth on the day the news broke, the Friedkin Group backtracked.
The travelling Everton fans on the South Coast made their feelings clear and got their way as the £40m move was subsequently called off.
Armstrong came through the ranks at Finch Farm and has been backed to become one of the Toffees' homegrown heroes.
Transfer expert David Ornstein has now reflected on Armstrong's collapsed Nottingham Forest move, including what Gerrard personally told him about Armstrong.
What Steven Gerrard is predicting for Harrison Armstrong
Alan Stubbs has told the Liverpool Echo that he can see Armstrong having a similar impact at Everton as Gerrard did at fierce rivals Liverpool.
Well Gerrard is clearly a fan of the 19-year-old, who has made 25 senior appearances for the Toffees to date.
Speaking on The Athletic FC podcast on Tuesday, Ornstein offered a little insight.
"It was a fascinating situation. I heard on the Friday or Saturday morning that Armstrong was leaving for £40m," he said.
"I was at Anfield that morning and was speaking to Steven Gerrard, who said 'this guy can play for England'. He holds him in really high regard."
Armstrong is undoubtedly an England senior international in waiting, while he is also destined to be a major hit at Hill Dickinson Stadium for years to come.
How do Harrison Armstrong and Steven Gerrard compare at same age?
Gerrard, it has to be accepted, was one of the Premier League's greats - although he never lifted the thing.
Nobody would want to put the same pressure on Armstrong when he is still a teenager finding his feet.
But it could be argued Armstrong is currently ahead of Gerrard at this stage in his career.
The Everton academy product has made 54 senior club appearances, with many of those coming on loan at Derby County and Preston North End.
Gerrard, at the same age, had made 45 club appearances - albeit each for Liverpool, rather than further down the pyramid.
Armstrong has also made 15 international appearances at age-grade level so far, up to and including the Under-21s, compared to none for Gerrard.
If he continues on his current trajectory, there is no reason why Armstrong cannot be a club legend at Everton in the same way Gerrard was at Anfield.