Gerrard earns Lee praise

Lee: Happy with Gerrard

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Sammy Lee hailed Steven Gerrard as a 'model professional' following Liverpool's 2-0 victory over Preston.

Gerrard was charged with assault and affray earlier this week following an alleged nightclub incident.

But he was named in the starting line-up at Deepdale and turned in an impressive display as Liverpool booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Assistant manager Lee said: "Steven is a top professional, he has had the full support of this club, and you see what he is after that performance.

"He is a great footballer, he produced a terrific performance. Things have been written about him, but we know that he is a terrific professional, a model professional and this club will put all our support behind Stevie Gerrard.

"But he is a great servant for this club, a great ambassador and we will continue to support him throughout, he's a terrific guy."

Irvine reaction

Preston boss Alan Irvine hoped his men would learn from playing against the likes of Gerrard and Fernando Torres, who came on as a substitute in the second half.

"People said they were disappointed that Steven Gerrard was playing, and I suppose I was pleased initially to see Fernando Torres on the bench," said Irvine.

"But then again our lads have been excited ever since the draw, and that was because they wanted to play against Liverpool's big stars.

"It has been an education for them. For Sean St Ledger to be facing Torres was a great education for him.

"I knew Steven Gerrard would play well, he is fantastic, top class, and I knew he would do that. I have very rarely seen him do anything less than that."

Preston thought they had drawn level at 1-1 when Sean St Ledger headed the ball into the net in the second half, but the goal was disallowed following a foul by Jon Parkin on Jamie Carragher.

Of the decision, Irvine said: "I knew the linesman was flagging when St Ledger scored. Originally I thought it was offside, which would have been annoying.

"But I soon realised it was for a foul by Jon Parkin on Jamie Carragher, and I have no problems with that decision. Maybe he was wrestling to get to his feet first, but he did pull Carragher down.

"There was an incident between Carragher and Parkin, and there was a lot of movement of Jon's shirt at the time, but that happens a lot and you don't always get penalties. I was not jumping up and down about it."