 LIVERPOOL chairman David Moores led the tributes to the extraordinary cup final performance of Steven Gerrard. After two summers when the skipper was a matter of hours from leaving Liverpool, Moores spoke of his relief the inspirational midfielder decided to stay on Merseyside to lead a new golden generation. Gerrard is the only player in Anfield history to score in an FA Cup Final, European Cup Final, UEFA Cup Final and League Cup Final. And a year on from his Istanbul heroics, never has the pivotal presence of the captain been more obvious than in Cardiff on Saturday. "It's self-explanatory what Stevie means to this club," said Moores. "He's a talisman. You could never replace him, so thank Christ it was all sorted out with him last year. "He's now settled and I know he'll be with us for life. He's an unbelievable player I wouldn't swop for anybody." Jamie Carragher's pre-match declaration that Gerrard was second only to Kenny Dalglish in the all-time list of Anfield greats looked more astute following his performance. Moores, who's seen all Liverpool finest players in action, agrees with Carragher's assessment He said: "Kenny's one of my all-time heroes, and there have been so many greats for this club. If you ask who was the best, it would be Kenny. But I think Carra is right. If you're looking at Stevie, he'd be regarded as highly. "If he makes a great manager as well at the end of it all, you never know. "He's got everything. He's been magnificent and different class. I thought a performance like that could never happen again after Istanbul, but we never make it easy for ourselves. It's a good job I got my heart sorted out. | 
