West Ham United midfielder Alex Song has always been a big fan of Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.
Song's respect for Gerrard is well-rooted after he first met him during a trip to England to visit his cousin Rigobert Song, who was at Liverpool at the time.
He told the Daily Mail: "I remember the first time I played against Liverpool was unbelievable. The first time I went to England was 1999 when I was watching Rigobert play. It was crazy because I took some pictures with the players - I was 12 years old.
"Then Rigobert gave me Gerrard's shirt from that day and I have kept it. I was training every single day in it and then when I played at Anfield it it was against Gerrard, (Michael) Owen and (Robbie) Fowler - I never forgot this in my life.
"That day, I still have the picture I took with Fowler, and I was looking before the game to say their life was crazy and now I'm playing against them. That is a very good thing.
"I have still got the shirt. When you are young and someone gives you a shirt, you have to keep it."
