Arsenal hero Martin Keown has likened Everton star Ross Barkley to Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.
Keown wrote in the Daily Mail: "Ross Barkley is the closest thing we have to the new Steven Gerrard. He is still a long way from becoming the complete player who Gerrard is, but he has all the potential to be the leading player of his generation.
"Wayne Rooney was the last great star to come through at Goodison Park but Everton could not hang on to him. Now he has won 12 trophies at Manchester United while Everton have won nothing in 20 years. If that drought continues, will Barkley be forced to follow Rooney's lead?
"It would never be allowed to happen but Brendan Rodgers must be looking over the fence because Barkley is the perfect replacement for Gerrard."