• Premier League

Rodgers likens Gerrard to Superman

ESPN staff
November 4, 2012
Steven Gerrard has long been Liverpool's talisman © Getty Images
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Brendan Rodgers has hailed Steven Gerrard as Liverpool's version of "Superman" - and believes the captain can continue driving the club on the field for years to come.

Gerrard, 32, is scheduled to make his 600th appearance for Liverpool on Sunday against Newcastle in the Premier League.

The midfielder has, in Rodgers' own words, become an "iconic" figure at Anfield in the 14 years since making his senior debut in a league match against Blackburn.

Rodgers has faced a difficult job trying to guide Liverpool back towards the top end of the Premier League on a limited budget since arriving in June.

And the manager has made no secret of his belief that Gerrard has played a key role in holding his side's performances together this season.

Rodgers had intended to rest the England captain for last Wednesday's Capital One Cup tie against Swansea, but was forced to bring him on at half-time with Liverpool trailing.

And although he could not save his side from a 3-1 defeat, Gerrard's impact on the game showed just what a rare talent he is, according to the manager.

"I think players of that ilk come along very rarely," Rodgers said. "I was talking to someone in the coaching fraternity the other day and we agreed that he's a player supporters should make the most of in terms of the years he's got left in him.

"He's still got a number of years left, don't get me wrong. The quality this guy has is incredible. You saw him the other night against Swansea, when the game was flat in the first half.

"He pulls on his Superman cape and comes on, and just changes the whole dynamic of the game. And that's what great players do. This is one of the modern greats of the game. It's a great pleasure to see how he devotes his life to it.

"He's 32 and he wants to learn. We're looking at videos of his games to improve him. And that has to come from him. That's his self-motivation, his self-drive to be better.

"He's not settling for everything he's had in his career. He wants to get better and improve. He's an incredible talent who is a real pleasure to work with.

"I've said it before and I'll repeat it: He's an iconic figure at this football club."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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