'He's just different class'
Andy Carroll has hailed the return to full fitness of Steven Gerrard and hopes the skipper can help him hit a rich vein of goalscoring form over the coming weeks.
Gerrard made his comeback from long-term injury on Boxing Day against Blackburn Rovers and has scored three goals in the matches since.
Injuries to both players have limited the time Carroll and Gerrard have spent on the pitch together for the Reds, but the big No.9 is no stranger to the captain's qualities having worked alongside him at Melwood.
"It's great to have the captain back," said Carroll in an exclusive interview in this week's LFC magazine.
"You can see at Melwood that as soon as he comes out on the training pitch, he's just different class. I think just him being there gives everyone else another lift and another boost.
"It's great to see him back and since he has been, he's already scored three goals so you can see straight away the difference that he makes and the impact he has.
"We haven't had the chance to start many games together. I think I may have been a sub when he's started or he has been a sub when I have so it's nice to see him back."
With Gerrard now back to fitness and already in impressive form, Carroll is hoping to thrive on the No.8's deliveries into the penalty area and hit the goal trail on a regular basis.
He added: "When you're on the same team as him in training, some of the passes he puts through for you and the chances he creates are incredible really.
"So hopefully I can keep working hard, get a nice run of games, give some good performances and get a few goals. If I can get a good run, hopefully that can kick-start me on again."