Boss hails remarkable Gerrard
Brendan Rodgers believes Steven Gerrard will remain a major influence for club and country for many years to come after the inspirational Kop skipper won his 100th England cap on Wedesday night.
Addressing a pre-Wigan press conference at Melwood, the Liverpool manager paid a special tribute to his skipper on reaching the milestone - and insisted the 32-year-old still has plenty left in the tank.
Rodgers told reporters: "I thought he was quality in everything he did - his passing and leadership quality in the game was outstanding.
"It's a real remarkable achievement for him because I think every cap Steven has earned, he has had to work hard for them. He has played in a number of different positions and all for the benefit of the team.
"I watched Steven from afar for a number of years and I've had the great pleasure of working closer with him in these last four months or so since I've been in here. He's an absolute joy to work, a real credit to the profession and he's got a number years left.
"You saw him last night. He was fit, strong and his mobility was good and he will still be a great influence for the national team for the next couple of years, so it's an incredible achievement."
Raheem Sterling was also given his Three Lions bow by Roy Hodgson in Sweden and in doing so became the club's youngest ever debutant for his country.
Rodgers added: "I thought he did very, very well. You watch the game and think this is a kid just 17 years of age playing in a game like that.
"He created the first goal with his pass and I thought he did very well. He's only going to improve through playing games at this club and for the national team.
"He's a real talent and one that has to be nurtured both by us here and the national team."
England went down to a 4-2 defeat in Stockholm thanks to a four-goal haul from Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Asked by reporters if Ibrahimovic's acrobatic fourth goal was the best goal he has ever seen, Rodgers replied: "It was fantastic. He's about 6'5, 6'6, but his touch, his movement and his goals were absolutely fantastic.
"He showed his fitness to do that so late in the game. The mobility and flexibility to score a goal like that was incredible. It shows you how fit he is. He has always been a wonderful technician and to play for the teams he has and been as successful as he has, it shows you he's a top player."
It's back to Barclays Premier League action this Saturday for Rodgers, Gerrard, Sterling and co as Wigan Athletic visit Anfield.
After three successive home draws in the top flight, Rodgers is hoping his side can start to get the rewards he feels they deserve.
He said: "We are in a good moment. We want to turn these draws into wins. We are showing our character and resilience at the moment. The players are bleeding the tank dry every week for me, they are putting everything into the game and I just hope very soon they will get the rewards for that and get the wins, because we are showing good resilience in the games.
"To come back like we did last weekend at Chelsea, without playing at our best was good, but it's important we win at home and that's what we will be looking to do at the weekend."
The Latics won 2-1 at Anfield last season in what proved to be a huge result in their retaining of top-flight status.
Rodgers added: "I've got a lot of respect for Roberto [Martinez]. I knew he had done a terrific job at Swansea and the impact he made there.
"He went to Wigan, another club he knew very well, and has done an excellent job there. Our philosophies are on the same line in terms of how we want to work and he's done a terrific job, none more so than last season because Wigan beat Liverpool at Anfield.
"So I know it's going to be a tough game and as I said he's a good guy, a good man, who works hard. He's a guy who has been at the top of the game for a few years in this country and he's done a terrific job at Wigan."