Carragher: Gerrard the best
Jamie Carragher insists that Steven Gerrard is the best player in England.
Jamie Carragher insists that team-mate Steven Gerrard is the best player in England, but believes that Liverpool would recover if he leaves in the summer.Carragher is aware that rumours of Gerrard's exit have refused to go away - with Chelsea the likely suitors.
The England international defender believes that the club's performance in the UEFA Champions League semi-final against Chelsea will not be a big deciding factor in Gerrard's future - but is adamant that the club will move on regardless.
"The semi-finals of the Champions League is exactly the kind of stage that Steven Gerrard loves because it gives him a big platform to show the world what he can do," Carragher told the Sunday Mirror.
"I am just glad that he will be wearing the red of Liverpool because I think every Chelsea player would love him in their side. They know what a top player he is.
"For me, he's the best player in England. If he can live up to that in the semi-final we will have a very good chance of winning because we have already knocked out Juventus without Stevie in our team for the second leg and I'd put them on a par with Chelsea.
"I don't like it when people say that our chances of keeping Stevie at the club will be decided by how well we do in the Champions League.
"It is up to him what he does in the summer, but everyone here is out to win the European Cup for themselves, the club and our fans - I am sure Stevie would say that himself.
"We aren't looking to win the Champions League simply to keep Steven Gerrard happy and at Liverpool.
"He has got a decision to make and we will wish him all the best whatever the outcome.
"But this club will move on with or without him. Everyone here wants him to stay because he is our top player and what we've done in Europe may help."
