Rush said: "In my opinion, no-one could have played better than Steven Gerrard. People will think I'm going a bit overboard, but I'll stand by the claim that this season he's been better than Zidane. I wouldn't swop them. Perhaps that's the biggest compliment I could give Stevie.
"He was exceptional again at Birmingham and he showed just how much he's matured tactically too.
"As soon as Kenny Cunningham was sent off, Stevie noticed how Steve Bruce's tactical reshuffle was leaving gaps on the flanks.
"Stevie basically spent the last 25 minutes playing on the left and right wing and he made the extra man count for us."