Liverpool fan and Portsmouth's free-scoring 'Steven Gerrard' admits he doesn't practice shooting

As a Liverpool fan, Tom Naylor’s footballing hero is inevitable.
Tom Naylor points at colleague and house-mate Andy Cannon after scoring against King's Lynn on Saturday. Picture: Naomi Baker/Getty ImagesTom Naylor points at colleague and house-mate Andy Cannon after scoring against King's Lynn on Saturday. Picture: Naomi Baker/Getty Images
Tom Naylor points at colleague and house-mate Andy Cannon after scoring against King's Lynn on Saturday. Picture: Naomi Baker/Getty Images

Yet comparisons to Steven Gerrard raises a smile to the midfielder’s face, who respects the ‘banter’.

It was housemate Andy Cannon who coined the resemblance, although Naylor should also claim responsibility.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

After all, it has been his four goals in five matches – and donning the captain’s armband - which sparked the connection, regardless of the tongue-in-cheek nature.

The 29-year-old’s latest goal-scoring contribution arrived on Saturday in the 6-1 FA Cup rout of King’s Lynn.

Now he wants Liverpool in the FA Cup’s third round. Understandably.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He told The News: ‘Andy and me had a bit of banter in the house the other day and he said I’m like Stevie G – but I’m nowhere near his level, nowhere near!

‘I like to get the odd goal now and it’s always nice to get a goal, but that’s it.

‘I’m a Liverpool fan, he’s my boyhood hero, that’s who I’ve looked up to throughout my career when I was younger.

‘Obviously he’s a legend in football and not bad to look up to.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘It’s just banter, though, living together every single day it’s like that – and it’s always nice to get into after training.’

Read More
For the latest Pompey news direct to your inbox sign up for our free newsletter

Naylor now has five goals in 19 games this season.

That equals his total Pompey haul from the previous two campaigns, demonstrating why even his own team-mates are surprised.

Certainly November has been a prolific month, with four goals arriving, with the other netted in October’s 2-1 victory over MK Dons.

Yet Naylor cannot pinpoint the reason behind his scoring streak. After all, he never chooses to practice shooting in training.

He added: ‘No, not really, I don’t practice.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘Let boys who have goals in their career practice, I do my own bit. I don’t really need to practice.

‘I sometimes I’ll stay after training with the midfielders led by Jake (Wigley) to do passing, opening it up and heading.

‘Then I do my own routine afterwards with the physios, so it’s a good balance for us.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

The News has launched a new subscription offer which gives you unlimited access to all of our Pompey coverage, starting at less than £1 a week.

You can subscribe here to get the latest news and transfer updates from Fratton Park - and to support our local team of expert Pompey writers.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.