"I was coming up through the ranks at Blackburn and we used to train at a soccer school in Warrington for all the clubs in the north-west. It didn't take long to notice Steven because he was an exceptional player even as a kid," revealed the Blues star.
"We got to know each other then and I have followed how his career has gone with interest ever since.
"Steven has been an awesome ever since he played his first game for Liverpool and I think you would be hard pressed to find a better player in his position anywhere. He is pretty much the perfect midfielder but the really scary thing is he is still getting better.
"When you see someone similar and who you have known for a long time doing so well, it gives you that extra bit of incentive to kick on yourself."