Bear with me – I realise this is slightly spurious and may only turn fans against one another, but let me first define the terms under which I am asking this question. Whilst I confess there are certain significant differences between the two players – especially in quality – there are also a few major points of comparison. In assessing this question it’s also worth noting what kind of future both these players have within their club and whether they are both viewed with a similar importance.
I should make it clear too, that I don’t intend to come up with any definitive conclusions and that this article is written to provoke thought and discussion.
So what are the points of comparison here? Both players came through their respective club’s academies. Arsenal’s youth academy took Wilshere on back in 2001 whilst Livermore was a slightly later recruit, joining Tottenham’s Academy in 2006. Both players have faced their fair share of injuries at a young age – Wilshere has been out for the entirety of this season, whilst Livermore fractured his fibula back in 2008 which saw him sidelined for quite some time.
Both players are extremely passionate about their respective clubs. Just look at Jack Wilshere’s Twitter if you need any evidence of that. As for Jake Livermore, you only need to look at his infamous response to a reporter who asked him “What is it like to score against the best team in the world?” to which he responded: “Score against the best team in the world? I play for them”. Nice.
They both operate as central midfielders, though they do offer two unique playing styles. What’s important, I think, is that they have both earned the title of their club’s big hope for the future. Jack Wilshere has been awarded the PFA Young Player of the Year award and has featured at every level of the England set-up. His performances last season showed that he has made the step-up and has transferred potential into genuine ability.
As for Livermore, though he has yet to feature for the England set-up you can’t help but feel that it’s only a matter of time. He offers a sturdy, reliable alternative to Jack’s speed-of-thought and speed-of-movement. He’s tough, dynamic and has a great engine. He’s also got a great attitude and seems to be a born winner. The only trouble he faces is beating off the competition in a congested Tottenham midfield and earning a first-team place.
If he keeps on developing at this rate, he should manage it soon enough. One thing’s for sure, however, both players are regarded as the future of their respective clubs and both look to have a great career ahead of them.
What’s your take? Do both players have a big future? Is one significantly better than the other?
Follow @ThePerfectPass on Twitter for details on all the latest updates and various football-related musings.
Introducing the neat little app that’ll pay you to view content tailored to your interests:
ThisisFutbol.com are seeking new writers to join the team! If you’re passionate about football, drop us a line at “thisisfutbol.com@snack-media.com” to learn more.
Can’t you totts writte about something execpt for arsenal… If you write about arsenal write about our 13 league titles compared to your????? Well I have a hard time finding a accomplishments from you sp*ds… Pray that you become bought by some sheik or else you for ever be the noisy tottering tiny totts… Jack puts that livemore character of yours in the shade… Just like our accomplishments.. You just a media hyped bunch of sissies
Your right Jack does put Livermore in the shade. He ‘ll be an England midfielder for 10 years.
Modric puts Jack in the shade.
There’s no getting away from the fact that this article is a bit silly. As far as I can see, they are similar in age and position but that’s where it ends.
Wilshere has experience and quality that Jake hasn’t shown yet. Wilshere is the future that Wenger and potentially the next England manager will be looking to build around.
Livermore is an exciting youngster but is by no means the next big hope at Spurs. He’s stepped up to the challenges put in front of him this season and might just have the quality to stay at the club but no one’s getting carried away.
Jake needs to stay patient and humble, with a view to replacing Parker and competing with Sandro of the next season or two. That’s before we even think about Hudd getting fit.
He looks like a quality young player. Maybe more similar to Mvila – very calm in possession, but unspectacular. That’s not meant to put him down, those sorts of players are very important and it looks like Spurs have got a good one.
Wilshere has also played that deep role for arsenal, but you see he has a lot more to offer in attacking positions, and could easily end up playing closer to the striker or in a wide position, as he did many times in the reserves.
M’Villa?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Livermore has been lucky to get the opportunities to play, while other young Spurs players have not had the same opportunities. Redknapp has been reluctant to get the young players involved, apart from some Europa League games, which he wasn’t particularly interested in.
Spurs have Tom Carroll, Alex Pritchard, Cristain Ceballos, Ryan Mason, Dean Parrett, Iago Falque – all exceptional creative attacking midfield players, who have never been given a chance in the premier league.
Livermore is pants compared to Wilshere!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Haha
Livermore hasn’t had the game time wilshire has. In my opinion wilshere is over rated anyway. That’s not saying he is not at the moment better than jake but wilshire has put himself more in the spotlight and played more putting him into the limelight. Jake hasn’t had those chances but when jake has come in he has never looked out of place or lacking in ability. He played against man utd and several european teams and ran the midfield. Yes we ended up losing but none of this was down to jakes overall play.
Wilshere is over rated? #doh
“Is Jake Livermore Tottenham’s answer to Jack Wilshere?”……..
NOPE!
Wilshere is Arsenal’s answer to Modric. Not yet as good but may be eventually.
Livermore has suprised me, never thought he’d make s premier league footballer but has really pushed on this season. Like Carragher and the Nevilles he’s an example of what can be achieved with hard work and limited talent.
We don’t need “an answer to Wilshere”, because Wilshere isn’t all that. At all.
Although he bossed the midfield against xavi and iniesta while yours got done by Fiellani and Osman. Twat
Don’t be silly. He was Arsenal’s best player in thosematches but Barca bossed both legs of that match in terms of possession , chances, etc.
Laughable.
Young, english and overrated? Yes they are alike.
Wilshere is far more creative tho.