The England international says Brendan Rodgers’ side is packed with quality, while he also praised the manner in which the Reds bounced back from their defeat against Arsenal

Liverpool defender Glen Johnson believes the current Reds squad is the best he has been a part of since moving to Anfield in 2009.

Brendan Rodgers’ side recorded a 4-0 win over Fulham on Saturday to secure their position in second place in the Premier League table, and close to within two points of league leaders Arsenal in the process.

Johnson, who has worked under four different managers in his four years on Merseyside, claims that the current Liverpool squad is packed with quality.

“We’ve had some fantastic players in the past that have obviously moved on,” the England international told the club’s official website.

“But in terms of a squad and starting XI, I think it’s the best since I’ve been around.”

Prior to Saturday’s win over the Cottagers, Liverpool’s top-four credentials had been dented by defeat to Arsenal, but Johnson felt the side responded in the perfect manner against Fulham.

“Every good team bounces back after a disappointing result. To do that with a clean sheet and four goals is an ideal day,” he argued.

“When we lose the ball, for the next few seconds we want to try to win it back as quickly as possible. A few of our goals came from that and I think we looked good today.

“We’ve got to make this a difficult place for teams to come and play, and easier for us to play and get the points.

“If we keep working like that, and as we have done in the week, I’m sure we’re going to give every team a good game.”

Though the 33-year-old has adapted into a deeper midfield position, the Reds left-back feels that his quality is undiminished

Liverpool defender Jose Enrique says that captain Steven Gerrard is as important to the team as he has ever been.

The midfielder has been an ever-present in the Premier League this season, forging a partnership with Lucas Leiva and helping the Reds to second in the table.

The 33-year-old provided assists for Martin Skrtel and Luis Suarez in Saturday’s 4-0 win over Fulham and Enrique feels that he remains a key figure despite moving to a deeper role.

“He has been playing fantastic like always. He’s our captain and he’s been really, really important for us,” the left-back told reporters.

“When you get older, you lose something physically and, when he was playing with [Fernando] Torres, he was more behind the striker, making runs.

“Now he plays deeper, keeps more of the ball and works differently. He is playing with Lucas now in that sitting role, which he didn’t play when he was younger.

“But the quality of the passes and the crosses he produces, and the free kicks … at 50 years of age, he will still be doing the same thing! He will always have that and his quality is amazing.”

It was a weekend of upsets during the 11th round of Premier League action – and our latest Team of the Week has some surprising new faces as a result.

A sensational Saturday of action, in which Crystal Palace drew with Everton, Chelsea clung on to a 2-2 stalemate with West Brom and Aston Villa and Liverpool, Norwich City and Southampton picked up wins, set the tone for a thrilling weekend.

But the action got even better on Sunday, when Newcastle won at White Hart Lane, Swansea drew 3-3 with Stoke City, Sunderland beat Manchester City and Manchester United conquered Arsenal.

Our first member of this week’s top team was in action on Sunday – and achieved a rather significant feat. Indeed, in single-handedly keeping a clean sheet for Newcastle, Tim Krul (5) was given the full five stars by our man at White Hart Lane, Jay Jaffa. Alan Pardew described the shot stopper as the best Dutch goalkeeper and the Magpies were left indebted to him for a memorable away-day win.

In defence, meanwhile, Krul is joined by the unlikeliest of heroes in Phil Bardsley (4). The former Manchester United man, also in action on Sunday, was superb at the back for Sunderland against Manchester City and even scored the winner for his side.

Bardsley is joined by West Brom’s Jonas Olsson (4) and Southampton’s Nathaniel Clyne (4) as we continue our unorthodox theme by going for a back three. Olsson was instrumental as the Baggies earned a point at Stamford Bridge – and Clyne impressed in Southampton’s 4-1 win against Hull.

In midfield, Steven Gerrard (4) makes a welcome return after bossing the game for Liverpool during their 4-0 win over Fulham. The Reds skipper is also joined by Leandro Bacuna (4), who impressed after scoring a superb free kick for Aston Villa against Cardiff City.

But where Gerrard and Bacuna shone, Adam Lallana (4.5) and Stephane Sessegnon (4.5) excelled, as they added goals to their all-round performances for Southampton and West Brom respectively.

Elsewhere, Luis Suarez (4.5) leads a front three after his deadly double at Anfield, while he is joined by fellow goalscorers Wilfried Bony (4), who also netted twice, and Loic Remy (4). Our prolific front three scored five goals between them this weekend alone.

Wayne Rooney (4), Rickie Lambert (4) and Shane Long (4) were unlucky to miss out.