Carra: He is Liverpool's greatest
Jamie Carragher is in no doubt that Steven Gerrard is the greatest Liverpool player ever.
The defender has watched from close quarters during the last 16 years as a succession of stars etched their name into the club's record books.
Carragher is not short of Reds landmarks himself - the second-highest appearance maker with 721 games, for example.
But the 34-year-old regards his long-time teammate as simply the best.
"I think we are in the presence of the greatest player ever to play for Liverpool," Carragher said of Gerrard.
"People will say I am biased because we are good friends and because of the trophies we have won together, but it is a fair accolade to give him.
"There are guys like Kenny Dalglish, Graeme Souness, Ian Rush, all world-class players, but the difference was they were in a world-class team - and Stevie has not played in a world-class team.
"Stevie's one strength is he has no weakness, he can run, tackle, pass and score goals.
"Football is a team game, but special players do special things at special times, and that is Steven Gerrard."
Carragher has also reflected on Saturday's 5-0 thrashing of Norwich, with the new striking partnership of Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez each finding the target against the Canaries.
The early signs are promising according to the Reds vice-captain, who believes the arrival of Sturridge has provided a boost for the whole squad.
He told the Liverpool Echo: "Daniel looks a really good player and has linked up really well with Luis.
"Luis was in a slightly deeper role against Norwich, but it doesn't matter where he plays - he is a still a world class player.
"You could see the difference it made when Daniel came on against Manchester United, and then we scored five against Norwich.
"That's three games in a row he's scored now.
"It's not just about goals, although obviously that's an important thing for a striker. It's nice to have an extra body up there. Daniel gives us a bit more pace and strength in attack.
"You see the ball coming into him and he has that strength to hold the ball. He has great movement and has the pace to get in behind defences. He has a presence about him.
"If you look at Luis' record, he's one of the top scorers in the league this season.
"It's clear he is doing his job and it's up to others to chip in. With Luis coming from a deeper area, you still expect him to score goals and Daniel playing up top is also going to get goals.
"Signing a good player gives everyone a lift and raises the standards all around. Others have got to up their game to maybe displace him from the team.
"We all want to play in a team with good players. It's early days but it looks like a good decision by the club to bring Daniel in."
Sturridge's close-range finish from a Stewart Downing centre extended the 23-year-old's scoring run to a goal in each of his first three games for Liverpool.
The last man to achieve that feat was Ray Kennedy, 39 years ago, and Carragher was quick to joke about any comparisons between the two.
"If he does as well as Ray Kennedy here he will have done very well. I'm sure Ray Kennedy didn't do that stupid dance, though!" he laughed.
See images of Sturridge's celebratory dance against Norwich>>