Liverpool legend John Aldridge has hit back at former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson over criticism of Steven Gerrard.
Ferguson says Gerrard couldn't compete with United's midfield greats Paul Scholes and Roy Keane.
Aldridge told the Liverpool Echo: "It was no surprise to see Fergie stick the boot into Liverpool, he's done that for the last 30 years or so!
"But he's barking up the wrong tree when it comes to Steven Gerrard. I guess it's just a way to ensure he sells more copies of his book.
"Any manager or player who has ever come across Steven in the game will tell you he's world class.
"Ferguson says he never coped against Keane and Scholes, well to be fair Gerrard was usually playing against both of them on his own, and that's before you mention Giggs and Beckham either side of them.
"Steve has never had the team around him to win a league title, but a look at his career tells you that he is a world class footballer, and he's had some great games against United down the years. How Ferguson can be critical of the lad, well, words fail me.
"If he needs to do Stevie down so he can sell his book, then let him. I'm just surprised he had to stoop so low.
"We all know what Sir Alex thinks of Liverpool - he's on record enough times telling us - but I think the fact he admits he would have signed Steven Gerrard tells you exactly what he really thought of the player."
