Roma ace Daniele de Rossi has welcomed comparisons with Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.

After De Rossi's brace last night against Georgia, Italy coach Marcello Lippi declared: "He's among the best central midfielders in the world. At the level of Frank Lampard (Chelsea) and Gerrard."

In response, De Rossi said: "Lippi's words give me great pleasure because to be compared to a huge player like Gerrard is truly a great compliment."