Liverpool veteran Jamie Carragher rates Steven Gerrard only behind Manchester United Sir Bobby Charlton as England's greatest ever midfielder.

Carragher was in awe of his skipper's hat-trick performance against Everton this week.

Carragher said: "We all know he's in the upper echelons when it comes to Liverpool players, with most having him either first or second behind Kenny Dalglish, but when you look at a list of the greats to play in English football I'd say he is second only to Bobby Charlton in terms of the best midfielders there have ever been.

"You'd put Charlton No 1 not only for his achievements with Manchester United, but because of the World Cup in 1966. Beyond that you'd have Graeme Souness, Alan Ball, Dave Mackay, Paul Scholes, Roy Keane, Glenn Hoddle, Gazza, Frank Lampard and Bryan Robson. For me, Stevie has eclipsed all of those for what he has done for Liverpool and England."