Liverpool boss praises Steven Gerrard
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has issued high praise for Steven Gerrard’s “outstanding” performance against Napoli in the UEFA Europa League.
The sides met at Anfield on Thursday, 4 November — two weeks after the Reds were held to a 0-0 draw by the Serie A side in Italy.
Liverpool had fallen a goal behind in the Group K match after an Ezequiel Lavezzi strike before Gerrard was brought on as a half-time substitute.
The 30-year-old club captain then scored a hat-trick to give the home side a 3-1 win and put them on the verge of qualifying for the last-32 stage of the competition.
The England international pounced on a backpass by former Liverpool defender Andrea Dossena to restore parity. He scored an 89th-minute penalty and chipped over Napoli keeper Morgan de Sanctis a minute later to seal the victory.
'Gerrard galvanised crowd and team'
Hodgson was delighted with the impact his captain made. He told reporters that: "It was outstanding. His entry on to the field was a catalyst, it galvanised the crowd and the team."
The Reds boss added that, while Gerrard was the key figure in the win, the whole team stepped up their games in the second half.
"We owe a big debt of gratitude to him but he will be the first to join me in saying the whole team in the second half gave a good performance.
"I thought tonight was a real leader's performance — the first goal was not a pretty goal.
"That was a captain's goal, the goal of a guy who wanted to get his team back in the game even at the risk of injury. That is certainly appreciated by me and my staff."
Hodgson will be hoping that the victory can act as a morale boost for his men ahead of their English Premier League clash with leaders Chelsea on Sunday.
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