Gerrard praise after traumatic week

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The match came at the end of the traumatic week for Gerrard that saw him charged with assault and affray following an alleged nightclub incident and Sammy Lee, Liverppol's assistant manager, was delighted with the club's captain.

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 added: "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."

Preston boss Alan Irvine may well have expected Gerrard to be rested in normal circumstances, but had no doubts about the 28-year-old's quality.

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

"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.

"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."