Whisper it quietly but Steven Gerrard wasn't that good in 2012.
But since the turn of the year the reds captain has seen a huge improvement in his form which has been noticed by both the fans and by club boss Brendan Rodgers.
Yesterday the gaffer gave special mention to Gerrard.
"I think it was difficult for him at the start of the season: a new manager coming in, he'd not long returned from the European Championships which was obviously a disappointment for him and he was straight into the big games.
"But you have to give great credit to him because of how he has focused on his game and the areas that we talked about continually improving.
"His standard has always been there but maybe he has not got recognition for that because the team was not quite at the level.
"But he has been instrumental now for a number of months.
"He is adapting and modifying his game but he still has the qualities he has always had.
Rodgers also hinted at the future role for the player at Liverpool - a role where his passing skills will be utilised more rather than his previous athletic box-to-box runs.
"He was outstanding the other night (in the England game) playing in that slightly deeper, controlling role which I think he can play as the years go on.
"He is able to dictate the rhythm of the game and some of the invention and creativity in his passing was brilliant and defensively he was very good.
"This is a guy who has everything in the locker: a wonderful professional, a great man off the field - a real inspiration for any young player - who leads his life the right way.
"You see him on the field, his range of passing, his touch and his leadership qualities and his influence is getting stronger for me."
Steven Gerrard is currently 10th in LFC's all time appearance list, but can move up to 8th (surpassing both Alan Hansen and Bruce Grobbelaar) by the end of the season.
