Rodgers: Liverpool captain Gerrard is “the best in Europe” as a deep-lying playmaker

Brendan Rodger’s Liverpool are in pole position to capture their first ever Premier League title

Brendan Rodgers has once again heaped praise upon Steven Gerrard, claiming he would not swap the Liverpool captain for any other holding midfielder in Europe.

Gerrard was forced into a more responsible on-pitch role when Lucas Leiva suffered injury in January, but the England midfield has thrived in that role to earn him a place on the shortlist for the Premier League’s player of the year award.

Rodgers has been impressed by Gerrard’s performances this season and truly believes that he could be in possession of one of the best controlling midfielders in world football currently.

The Liverpool manager told reporters, “I think his form sometimes gets lost a wee bit with Steven, because his leadership quality in the team is there for all to see.

“We mustn’t forget that he’s arguably the best in European football in a controlling role at this moment in time.

“There’s not many players who can do what he can do – be one of the best attacking midfielder players in Europe and then switch to be arguably the best controlling player.

“You look at the holding players in European football at the top teams, I wouldn’t swap him for any of them, because of what he can give the team.

“He’s a playmaker, but he’s unique in that he can also defend. I think what he probably doesn’t get enough credit for is his reading of the game.

“For as long as I knew Steven Gerrard before I came in here, people would ask “Was he a player that just couldn’t fit into a team structure?” He was the number ten who needed to roam, because he was so good he needed to do that.

“He could lift the team and carry the team from whatever position he played.

“But the feature now is about the team and he’s in a structure he’s happy with.

“He’s got some top talents around him that can exploit his qualities and along with his intelligence and reading of the game, his physical condition in the role is good as well. I could see him playing in there because of his playmaking skills. He can orchestrate the game.”