Landon Donovan believes Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard may have undervalued MLS prior to their respective moves to the USA.

Liverpool legend Gerrard joined reigning MLS champions LA Galaxy in the summer while Chelsea hero and former Manchester City midfielder Lampard made his way to first-year franchise New York City FC at around the same time.

Neither player shone during their first foray into Major League Soccer and ex-Galaxy axe Donovan believes it is because it is a competition that cannot be taken lightly or considered an after-thought.

"They have been perceived well but it's not easy. Sometimes people have this impression that you can go there and it will be easy – people from the outside," said Donovan, who enjoyed two successful loan spells with Everton during his career.

"The players will tell you – and I think Steven has spoken about it openly – it's quite difficult.

"Not because there is more quality from Liverpool but it's difficult to travel and the pace of the game is fast."

The USA's leading goalscorer added: "The Premier League is probably the fastest in the world but the pace [in the US] is faster than you realise.

"There are a lot of different issues so I think both of them will come back next year and be more prepared and make a much bigger impact."