Jamie Carragher has hailed Steven Gerrard as Liverpool’s “greatest ever player” following the midfielder claiming the Football Writers’ Association Tribute Award.

The current England and Liverpool captain was chosen as the recipient of the FWA Tribute Award to mark his contribution to English football, with previous winners including Alan Shearer and George Best.

And Carragher, who has played alongside Gerrard since the latter made his first-team debut in 1998, spoke highly of the 32-year-old: “I think we are in the presence of the greatest player ever to play for Liverpool.

“People will say I am biased because we are good friends and because of the trophies we have won together, but it is a fair accolade to give him.

“There are guys like Kenny Dalglish, Graeme Souness, Ian Rush, all world-class players, but the difference was they were in a world-class team – and Stevie has not played in a world-class team.”

Gerrard has won the Champions League, Uefa Cup and two FA Cups and represented England 100 times during his time with the Merseyside club, recently being named as the Three Lions’ permanent skipper.

The midfielder has played every minute of Liverpool’s 23 league matches so far, scoring six goals including a trademark long-range effort in Saturday’s 5-0 win over Norwich City.

Carragher continued: “Stevie’s one strength is he has no weakness, he can run, tackle pass and score goals. Football is a team game, but special players do special things at special times, and that is Steven Gerrard.”

Gerrard thanked those in attendance, but was quick to turn attentions to Liverpool’s on-field goals this season after the win over the Canaries drew them level on points with sixth-placed Arsenal.

He added: “I feel very flattered and humbled. To receive this award from the Football Writers’ Association is a very proud night for myself and my family.

“It means a lot because when you talk about awards of people who scrutinise your performances, these guys have followed me throughout my career, written about me whenever I have played, and know their football.

“I have always looked at personal awards as a bit of a bonus really. I always try to achieve things with Liverpool or fight to do well for England.

“It is a special year – the 150th anniversary for the FA as well, so there are some really big fixtures to look forward to. We are halfway through a World Cup qualifying campaign, so hopefully at the end of the season it can be a success for Liverpool to achieve something, and England can also make it through to the finals in Brazil.”

Liverpool veteran Jamie Carragher has hailed Daniel Sturridge’s immediate impact at the club, following goals in each of his opening three games.

Brendan Rodgers acquired the 23-year-old from Chelsea for £12 million, and has since seen him net against Mansfield Town, Manchester United and Norwich City.

And Carragher believes the former Chelsea and Manchester City striker has raised the quality of the team’s attacking threat and will relieve the pressure on fellow forward Luis Suarez.

Carragher told reporters: “You can’t expect a striker to score every week but he has started well and it looks like a good decision to bring him in. When he came in it gives everyone a lift and raises standards all around. The other strikers have to up their game to try to displace him and get in the team.

“He has got three in three games so he’s made a great start and he’s lived up to the expectation so far. That’s an important thing for a striker but it is not just about goals – he’s got great movement and gives us more pace and strength up there.

“Sturridge has a presence about him and has linked up well with Luis playing the slightly deeper role. Luis’ goalscoring record is one of the top in the league, so if he is your main striker he is doing his job.

“It then needs other people to chip in from deeper areas, but with Luis playing in a deeper area you still expect him to get goals. With Daniel up top he is going to get goals as well. No matter where Luis plays he is a world-class player but it was nice to have an extra body up there.”

Liverpool have won their last three matches at Anfield, scoring 12 goals without reply in the process, but upcoming away games against Arsenal and Manchester City loom large in the near future.

And Carragher is hoping the momentum from the club’s improved home form can be carried into the clashes against the champions and Gunners.

He added: “The manager mentioned before the game if we won we would have won the same number of matches [six] at home as last season. That shows you we didn’t do well enough at home last year.

“We want to keep that run going at home but we’ve got three tough away games coming up so we need to take our home form into those.”

Inter president Massimo Moratti has claimed that Wesley Sneijder is “closer to Galatasaray now” but admitted that the player could still stay with the Serie A side.

The Netherlands international has been dragging his heels over a possible move to Turkey ever since the sides agreed a €10 million transfer fee at the beginning of the month, but Moratti has revealed that progress has been made after he met with the player in person.

“We needed this meeting and it was pleasant,” he told Sky Italia. “There is still a small chance that Sneijder could stay. Is he closer to Galatasaray now? I think so, yes.”

Sneijder then echoed the words of the Nerazzurri supremo, adding: “I have loved and do love this team. The Inter fans are the most important thing for me.

“I cannot talk about the negotiations right now, but I agree with the President’s words.”

Goal.com exclusively revealed earlier this week that Liverpool had stepped up their interest in the 28-year-old following his impasse with Galatasaray, with the player thought to be keen on a move to England.

Reds captain Steven Gerrard admitted on Sunday that he “would love nothing better” than to see the midfielder join the Anfield outift, but suggested his wage demands might potentially prove problematic.