DOMINIC Matteo has promised to say a prayer for Stoke City in time-honoured fashion at Anfield tomorrow.

A Scouser born and bred, perhaps, but he insists it will be Stoke uppermost in his thoughts when he undergoes a Liverpool ritual for the umpteenth time.

“Although I won’t actually be playing,” said the one-time Liverpool midfielder, “I will go down the steps of the tunnel and touch the badge that says ‘This Is Anfield’ and make a wish.

“If you come through the ranks at Liverpool, it’s something you always do. But I’m with Stoke at the moment and still training with the lads, so I obviously want Stoke to go and get a result.

“And if we can get a result at a place like Anfield, it will breed massive confidence in the players for the season ahead.”

Matteo, still on week-to-week terms as he awaits a resolution to his possible appointment to a coaching role at Stoke, would have loved one last shot at playing on the sacred turf where he first cut his teeth.

“Yeah, particularly as I’ve been quite lucky going back to Liverpool as a player. I seem to remember getting a win and a draw there with Leeds.

“The lads that do play will experience a great day and a great occasion. It’s a chance to prove they are top players at a great stadium.

“It’s the fans and the history of the club that makes it such a great club.

“I think the fact our lads are playing in the Premier League has already kicked in with them, to be fair, but occasions like this really are something special.”

Matteo during his Liverpool days

Steven Gerrard is primed to seize the occasion for himself, of course, as he starts tomorrow’s game on 99 goals for Liverpool following his double in Marseilles on Tuesday.
Matteo, a few years ahead of the England star on the Liverpool conveyor belt, recalls the instant impression Gerrard made on his older colleagues at the very outset of his career.

“When I was there he was still growing up, but I was still lucky enough to play with him a few times. As a player, he’s got the lot. He’s one of those who can grab a game by the scruff of the neck and change it himself, a bit like Roy Keane used to, and there isn’t many players you can say that about.

“I remember the first time I really saw him. A few of us not involved in the first team were training on a Saturday morning and he came along to join us. We were all thinking wow, this kid has something.

“From a young age he could play absolutely anywhere – I’ve seen him play right-back for the first team early in his career.

“He’s a good athlete and has got such a great brain, but he also works hard at improving his game all of the time.

“Off the field, Stevie is a very humble guy, considering what he has achieved. He doesn’t take anything for granted.

“He takes every game the same and that is a tribute to his great professionalism.

“He will be wanting to get that 100th goal sorted and out of the way. He scores all different types of goals and you just can’t give him space anywhere on the field because of the way he shoots.”

Matteo also has a soft spot for Jamie Carragher after spending even more time with the former England defender during their rise towards first-team football at Anfield.

“It’s easy for people on the outside to overlook his contribution, particularly with Stevie around, but I don’t think he gets overlooked in Liverpool.

“They know what he’s done for the club, and that is done brilliantly. He’s a great pro, a great player and a really nice guy with it.”