Steven Gerrard: "I can still compete with the best"

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has hit out at his critics and has insisted that he can still compete with the best players in the world.

The 34-year-old has been maligned for his below-par performances this season, but produced an excellent display in the Merseyside derby in his side's 1-1 draw against Everton.

Gerrard told reporters: "I'll agree with the constructive criticism and I've been stifled in a couple of games when people have followed me around and I haven't been able to shake them off.

"But then some people take it too far and say 'He's 34, he can't run and he's finished'. "I can still compete with the best players around. It's nice to remind people that although I'm 34, I can still run, I can still play and I can compete with the best players around."

Liverpool are 12th in the Premier League after six matches this season.