Former Liverpool captain Gary McAllister says Zinedine Zidane is right when claiming Steven Gerrard was the best player in the world.

"Someone like Lionel Messi at Barcelona can put together wonderful pieces of skill, there is no doubt about that," McAllister told liverpoolfc.tv.

"Steven is a different type of player, but I don't think there is anyone who influences their team more than him. Or the players around him for that matter.

"He drives the team forward and you've seen that again with his performances over the last week. He has been phenomenal. I read what Zidane said and it's hard to disagree.

"There is still plenty of improving in him because he never settles for what he has got. He's not 30 for another year and a bit and, with the hunger he has, he will keep pushing himself - and Liverpool."