Brendan Rodgers hails "outstanding" Steven Gerrard

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has said that Steven Gerrard was "outstanding" in his side's 1-1 draw against Everton this afternoon.

The Reds captain curled in a free kick that looked set to give his side all three points, until Phil Jagielka fired in a strike from range in stoppage time.

Gerrard has received some criticism for his performances in recent weeks, but Rodgers had nothing but praise for how his captain played at Anfield today.

"Stevie's such a selfless guy," Sky Sports News quotes Rodgers as saying. "He was letting Mario [Balotelli] take a few [free-kicks] in the first half and I was screaming on for him to take it, because he's got so much quality.

"But he would rather, at times, let other people have an opportunity. He's shown many a time over the years that's his range. When he took it, it was a goal that should have won the game. But it was a wonderful free kick and I thought his performance today was outstanding."

Gerrard has scored three goals in six appearances for Liverpool this season.