Jamie Carragher has paid tribute to inspirational captain Steven Gerrard after he set Liverpool en route to a memorable victory in Marseille with his 11th goal in 12 games.
Carra believes his mate, who on Tuesday became the club's all-time European top scorer, now stands alongside Kenny Dalglish as the greatest player ever to wear a red shirt.
The Scouser said: "He's definitely one of the best players in the world. You look at Kaka and Messi, but they probably play further forward.
"For me he'll go down alongside Kenny Dalglish as one of the greatest players ever to have played for Liverpool and at the moment he's probably in the top four or five players in the world."
As well as breaking Michael Owen's Euro record, Gerrard became the first Liverpool player since John Aldridge in 1989 to score in seven successive matches.
It took the captain just four minutes to break the deadlock in the Stade Velodrome.
The goal came hot on the heels of what looked like a match-ending injury for Gerrard, and Carra admits he was worried the Reds would have to do without their on-the-field leader.
"I was worried because he doesn't normally go down," he added. "It looked like it might have been something serious, but he got back up, carried on and won the penalty as well."
Next up for Liverpool is a tie against either AC Milan, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Barcelona or Seville.
Carra insists he and his teammates won't fear anyone when the draw is made on December 21.
"We'll be a big game for anyone as well, don't forget. When you're in the Champions League you play the best teams in Europe.
"It's good players and the top teams in the best stadiums, but if you want to progress you've got to beat the best."
Carra believes his mate, who on Tuesday became the club's all-time European top scorer, now stands alongside Kenny Dalglish as the greatest player ever to wear a red shirt.
The Scouser said: "He's definitely one of the best players in the world. You look at Kaka and Messi, but they probably play further forward.
"For me he'll go down alongside Kenny Dalglish as one of the greatest players ever to have played for Liverpool and at the moment he's probably in the top four or five players in the world."
As well as breaking Michael Owen's Euro record, Gerrard became the first Liverpool player since John Aldridge in 1989 to score in seven successive matches.
It took the captain just four minutes to break the deadlock in the Stade Velodrome.
The goal came hot on the heels of what looked like a match-ending injury for Gerrard, and Carra admits he was worried the Reds would have to do without their on-the-field leader.
"I was worried because he doesn't normally go down," he added. "It looked like it might have been something serious, but he got back up, carried on and won the penalty as well."
Next up for Liverpool is a tie against either AC Milan, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Barcelona or Seville.
Carra insists he and his teammates won't fear anyone when the draw is made on December 21.
"We'll be a big game for anyone as well, don't forget. When you're in the Champions League you play the best teams in Europe.
"It's good players and the top teams in the best stadiums, but if you want to progress you've got to beat the best."
Comment