Gerrard among Neal´s all-time greats

Liverpool favourite Phil Neal believes Steven Gerrard would have earned a place in any of Bob Paisley’s all-conquering Anfield teams.

Neal helped Liverpool win the European Cup four times during his 11 trophy-laden years at the Merseyside club between 1974 and 1985.

And according to the former England right-back, Gerrard, who struck a hat-trick in a 3-0 derby win over Everton on Tuesday, would not have been out of place in the great Liverpool teams of the 1970s and 1980s.

“The biggest compliment I can pay him is that if Stevie G was around when I was playing he would have won a place in our team somewhere,” Neal told Goal.com.

“Bob Paisley put some great sides together but I think Stevie would have got into all of them. I don’t know who you would have dropped but there would have been a place in the side for him.”

“Stevie can play anywhere. He is such a competent player and a classy boy as well. He makes the job look so easy.”

“If anyone in any profession can do that it just shows the class that they uphold within their own industry and that applies to Stevie G in football too.”

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is often regarded as the club’s greatest ever player, but Neal said not only is Gerrard more versatile than the Scotsman, but that he is also blessed with fine leadership qualities.

“The one thing that Kenny Dalglish couldn’t do was play in numerous positions,” Neal said.

“Kenny was in a class of his own in a specific role – as a striker – whilst I think that Stevie G possesses an all-round ability and the knowledge and everything else that he has been through in football would allow him to play anywhere on the park.”

“As a captain Steven leads by example, he is not a mouthy sort of person. He will give certain instructions to his team-mates and it was nice to see Jay Spearing alongside him.”

“Just imagine how big Jay will feel today – to have played alongside Stevie and being in a team that has won 3-0 over their local rivals in his hometown. It will give him a new lease of life to want more.”