Sammy Lee says Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard deserves every plaudit that comes his way as he celebrates ten years as a senior Red tomorrow.

Lee, now No 2 to Rafa Benitez, was in charge of the reserves when Gerrard burst on to the scene.

Lee said: "I'm sure you'll get an awful lot of people trying to claim they were responsible for Steven's development. But I won't.

"The truth is, the lad should take all the acclaim. It's the hard work he put in from the very start. Steven had that steely determination to do his best and become better and still has it.

"I was reserve-team coach when he first came on the staff and knew about him.

"To stay at a club like Liverpool for 10 years is an incredible achievement these days.

"Steven has always had other clubs making offers. There have always been temptations for him, and yet he has stayed, which shows his character.

"The club and game have moved on over his 10 years and so has he. For that he deserves all the credit he gets."