Gerrard has the respect

Anfield, as ever, heard every word Liverpool's most natural leader bellowed as he directed team-mates, demanded more effort, exhorted Alan Wiley, the referee.

Steven Gerrard, as ever, simply went about his work in a determined silence.

Gerrard is not a bellower, far from it. With Liverpool, he leaves that to Jamie Carragher, and with England, he has always left it to John Terry, or Rio Ferdinand. Gerrard prefers to lead by example, certainly for his club.

His attacking prowess, as evidenced by his goal, and his spirit, as witnessed by his contretemps with El-Hadji Diouf, are well known, but his selflessness and his discipline, perhaps, go more unnoticed.

They are two qualities that say far more about him as a leader than his power and poise in the opposition's box.

When Fabio Aurelio overstretched himself in the Blackburn half, the Brazilian's final contribution of the game, it was Gerrard who immediately, wordlessly, filled in, taking orders from Daniel Agger as Emiliano Insua waited to come on.

When Liverpool's nerve failed them and Blackburn's aerial assault began, it was Gerrard, encamped on the edge of his own 18-yard box, winning headers, haring into tackles.

Carragher, like Terry, may not possess an armband but is Liverpool's captain in words. It is Gerrard's deeds that set him apart.

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