Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard believes local lad Jay Spearing is good enough to make it at Anfield.

"I think a few people will have been surprised by the way he performed after coming on against Real Madrid but I wasn't one of them," he told liverpoolfc.tv.

"First of all, you have to give credit to the manager for giving a young player a chance in such a big game and Jay certainly did not let him down.

"I see him in training all the time and he's got a good touch, he passes the ball well and he keeps thing simple and it was good to see him show what he is all about in a game like that.

"He certainly won't let anyone down if he is given more chances in the future."