Gerrard backs Torres and Babel

England international midfielder Steven Gerrard might not be going to the Euro 2008 finals this summer because England couldn't qualify but he is firmly supporting his Liverpool team mates Fernando Torres and ryan Babel.

Gerrard says that both Torres and Babel can be exceptional in Austria and Switzerland next month. Torres will be an ace for Spain while Babel will feature for the Netherlands as one of the bright hopes.

Fernando Torres has just ended a phenomenal season with Liverpool in the Premiership. He scored 33 goals in his first season in English football and broke the record for goals scored in the English top-flight by a foreign player in his debut season. He was also voted as the best player for Liverpool 2007-2008 by the Liverpool fans.

Ryan Babel was voted as the best young player for the club by Liverpool's supporters. Babel is not expected to feature heavily for Marco van Basten's hugely talented Orange but he is expected to be a key man when it comes to the substitutes.

Steven Gerrard told Liverpool's Daily Post:

"I enjoy playing alongside Torres, it is great to have him here and he has been player of the year hands down. His movement and runs are fantastic. Hopefully he can take this into next season.

“What has struck me about him, besides the goals, is his work rate and how much he is up for it.

“Usually when you bring in foreign players there can be a concern about whether they will be able to handle the physical side of the Premier League. How long are they going to take to adapt to the push and shove?

“But from the first game against Chelsea, he was all over their defenders, harassing them. If he gets kicked he’s straight back up. He loves it! This is what has struck me most because I always expected him to get the goals.

"He is a powerful boy, he doesn’t go down. He is strong, has great character and works hard for the team. He is a great buy so far."

Gerrard had this to say about team mate Ryan Babel:

"As for Ryan, he is still young and has made a big impact from the bench, and he has also done well in some matches he has started and he has a bright future.

“If he’s willing to learn then he has got the right players around him to help his game. But it is all about Ryan now and how much he wants to take his game to the next level, because he has certainly got the attributes.

“He has got the ability, there is no doubt about it. He is strong, quick, can set goals up and score. He’s got it all.

“But I have seen it with so many players when they have had this ability and not taken it to the next level.

“It is up to him now how much he wants to be one of the top players about, because he certainly could be.”