Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/538516
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 8 JULY 2015 20 STEVEN Gerrard may be synonymous with Liverpool, but the former England skipper will be a huge success in MLS following his move to the LA Galaxy. That is the view of Gerrard's former teammate Xabi Alonso, who is in no doubt that Gerrard will inspire those in the StubHub Center dressing room in the same way he did across 17 years in the first-team squad at Anfield. "He has achieved everything at Liv- erpool, and to try the experience I'm pretty sure he'll enjoy his life in LA," Alonso told the Galaxy's website. "The Galaxy for the last few years have been doing really well, the MLS is growing and he will be a push for the league and for LA Galaxy for sure." Alonso played with Gerrard for five seasons between 2004 and 2009, with the midfielders dovetailing to great ef- fect in a period where Liverpool com- peted in two UEFA Champions League finals - famously winning in 2005 - one semifinal and one quarterfinal, as well as lifting the FA Cup and finish- ing second in the Premier League. "I was lucky enough to play with him for years and I can assure you he is one of the best I've played alongside," Alonso said. "For him to be playing in the MLS, for sure it will increase. He's an inspiration, he's a leader and he will bring American football closer to Eu- rope." The World Cup-winning Spaniard, now of Bayern Munich, expects Ger- rard to have a massive impact both on and off the pitch stateside. "He's always been leading by example and because of that, the young play- ers can learn a lot from him," Alonso added. "He's always been helpful to the managers and coaches because he's had great experience and for sure he's going to be a success for LA Galaxy." Sport SPORTTODAY FOOTBALL Pogba not certain to stay at Juventus Juventus president Andrea Agnelli has provided a glimmer of hope for Manchester City and other clubs interested that Paul Pogba is not a certainty to remain with the Italian champions next season THE Turin giants already turned down a re- ported 80million euros offer from Barcelona for Pogba last week. Reports in England claim Manchester City have made a 100million euros bid to Juve for the French international midfielder, who is also a reported target of Paris St Germain and Barcelona. When asked if Pogba was not on the market, Agnelli said to Turin sports newspaper Tutt- osport: "In football everything is possible. "I remember that some years ago we wanted to keep (Christian) Vieri at Juventus. "The player was considered non-transfer- able but a few days later, Vieri was sold to Atletico Madrid. "Hence, my players are non-transferable from September 1st." Pogba, 22, helped Juve win a domestic double - Serie A and Coppa Italia - this past season and the club reached the Champions League final for the first time since 2003. The Frenchman has been a bit hit since arriving at Juve from Manchester United in 2012 as a free agent. Pogba, who was voted the Best Young Play- er at last year's World Cup in Brazil, is under contract with Juve until June 2019. Paul Pogba: His future remains uncertain Gerrard will push LA Galaxy and MLS to greater level - Alonso Xabi Alonso is in no doubt that his former Liverpool teammate will take Major League Soccer by storm with his new club Xabi Alonso Steven Gerrard