Jamie Carragher hails Steven Gerrard's influence at Liverpool
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has praised Steven Gerrard, the team's captain, after the midfielder inspired the team's comeback against SSC Napoli in the Europa League.
Liverpool trailed the Italians 1–0 after the first half on Thursday, 4 November, but Gerrard scored three goals after coming off the bench at half time to earn Roy Hodgon's team a 3–1 victory.
Carragher, who played the full game in Liverpool's defence, said his teammate's ability to perform when it matters is unmatched in the history of the Premier League.
"Stevie is just an unbelievable talent, we all know that," the 32-year-old told the Liverpool Echo on Friday, 5 November. "We have seen him do things like he did last night time and again during his career. But he keeps on producing when it matters and,
to me, that makes him the best player the club has ever had and the most influential player ever in the Premier League."
Vital game against Chelsea
Gerrard has started all of Liverpool's league games this season, scoring three goals so far, but his team have failed to impress, sitting 13th in the table ahead of their clash with Chelsea on Sunday, 7 November.
But the skipper, who was man of the match when Liverpool cancelled out a three-goal deficit against AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League final, is known to rise to the occasion in big games.
"You could see the crowd responded to him when he came on in the second half and he lifted everybody's performance," Carragher said of Gerrard's influence on the team. "Thankfully we were able to get the win and now we have got to make sure we can keep this
run going for as long as possible."
Striker Fernando Torres, who was rested against Napoli, is expected to return against Chelsea.
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