England legend Stuart Pearce says Liverpool veteran James Milner deserves to be regarded as a Premier League great.

Milner's performances this season have earned rave reviews and has played a part in club captain Jordan Henderson only starting one match so far.

Pearce admits Milner is not the best footballer but claims there are not many better as an all-round package.

“Milner's a player that's been so underrated," Pearce said on talkSPORT.

“There's a saying in boxing on who is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

“I think Milner is the best pound-for-pound footballer in the Premier League potentially there has been.

“I don't think he's been the best footballer by a million miles but you should throw everything into the mix like professionalism.

“He's 32-years-old now and he's ridiculously low maintenance and I've never seen one detrimental story about Milner in the papers.

“He's probably run more than any player that's taken to the pitch over those last 16 years, he's played over 130 games at all age groups for the England national team."