Martinez hails 'unique' Stevie

Wigan Athletic boss Roberto Martinez has spoken of his admiration for Steven Gerrard ahead of his side's trip to Anfield on Saturday.

The Latics are currently second from bottom in the Barclays Premier League and will go into the game facing a Liverpool team hoping to bounce back to winning ways after their dramatic defeat at Queens Park Rangers.

Gerrard fired a hat-trick in the Reds last top-flight game on home soil against Everton, and Martinez knows how big an influence he is for Kenny Dalglish's charges.

"Gerrard is an outstanding footballer and I think he is more than a footballer," said Martinez.

"He represents what it means to play football and look at what he's achieved for that football club which is quite unique.

"The problem you have with Liverpool is if you concentrate too much on Gerrard then you allow too much space for Suarez, Downing, Kuyt, and the list goes on.

"I think this is a very good Liverpool side which is getting stronger, and I'm sure it will continue to get stronger season by season with players gelling together.

"You need big rocks, players who set the standards and Gerrard is one of them."

Last season Wigan gained a creditable draw at Anfield when they came from behind and the Spaniard is hoping his side can produce a similar display at the weekend.

He added: "We need to go into every game now with the intention of winning the game and that's what we will try to do on Saturday.

"Playing against Liverpool is always a very difficult game because they've got a group of individuals capable of making things happen in key moments in the game, so it would require a huge amount of effort and maturity from us to go to Anfield and get a result, but it's something that we are capable of.

"Last season we went there and got a very important 1-1 draw which we thoroughly deserved."