Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has likened Steven Gerrard to Diego Maradona.
Hodgson was full of praise for his captain yesterday.
Asked if one man had ever been as pivotal for a team as the midfielder is at present, Hodgson said: "I'm certain if you go back there are others - Diego Maradona at Napoli was a classic example - but Steven's contribution to this club over the years has been phenomenal. We saw the very best of him on Thursday because his first goal wasn't the result of his wonderful technique and understanding of the game, it was purely his desire and determination to reach the ball when he was far from favourite to get there. And to put his body on the line, and risk injury, epitomised his performance.
"More and more we bring players into our teams who are gifted individuals, but they don't always have that fight in them as well. Football has changed, and in [Jamie] Carragher and Gerrard we do have two of a dying breed: they are Liverpool through and through, and not only that but they have the quality, guts and desire to play for Liverpool. Most managers would say they are the type of player we really want, but they are much harder to find these days.
"United have their share with [Paul] Scholes and [Ryan] Giggs, but if you go through the Premier League these days it's not so easy to name many of them. We recruit talent from abroad, but they might not have that burning heart which refuses to accept defeat, as Steven did against Napoli."
