Raheem Sterling has admitted that playing alongside Steven Gerrard at Liverpool is a "dream come true".
The 18-year-old winger broke into the Reds' first team last season and established himself as key member of the squad, before an injury curtailed his progress in March.
"He's one of the best players to have ever played for Liverpool and to get the chance to play alongside him is amazing," Sterling told the Liverpool Echo.
"When I watched him score that [second equalising] goal against West Ham United in the [2006] FA Cup final, I never thought that one day I'd play in the same team as him. It's a dream come true.
"I'm just grateful we have him at the football club for me to learn from. For all the lads, Steven Gerrard is an inspiration and out of all the players here he's the one I've looked up to more than anyone."
Gerrard will contest his testimonial match against Greek side Olympiacos next month and will play some part in the Reds' game against a Thailand XI later this morning.
Paul Gorst
