JAMIE CARRAGHER has hailed derby hat-trick hero Steven Gerrard as the greatest player in Liverpool’s history.

The skipper’s stunning performance against Everton on Tuesday has re-ignited the debate over who is the finest to ever represent the Reds.

Carragher believes Gerrard’s contribution over the past 14 years puts him ahead of current boss Kenny Dalglish.

“Because of what he has done for the club, I believe Stevie is the best,” he said.

“Dalglish, Souness and Rush all played together in a great team, but because football is a team game it’s been harder for Stevie because he’s not always played in great teams.

“For me, his performance in the 2006 FA Cup final stands out even more than Ian Rush in the 1986 FA Cup Final and he’s also regularly produced it in the major events such as the 2005 Champions League final.

“In their era, the First Division was full of the best players in Britain, but now the Premier League has many of the best players in the world. I definitely think it’s a case with Stevie that people will not fully realise how good he has been until he stops playing.

“I know how hard it can be for a local lad to live up to expectations, especially for Stevie who has had so much responsibility for so long.

“None of the players who’ve played alongside him would dispute he’s the best the club has ever had, and I would hope none of the managers would either.”

Carragher believes Gerrard is second only to Bobby Charlton in the list of all-time great British midfielders.

“You’d put Charlton No 1 not only for his achievements with Manchester United, but because of the World Cup in 1966,” he added.

“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.”

Carragher admits he was baffled by the recent decision of England caretaker manager Stuart Pearce not to make Gerrard the national team captain.

“I was shocked and surprised,” he said. “Scott Parker is a great player and everyone respects him, but Steven Gerrard should be England captain.

Whoever the England manager is, Gerrard should be captain and he should have been against Holland.”