West Bromwich Albion's Joleon Lescott believes Steven Gerrard can be excused from Liverpool's FA Cup shortcomings this season.

The Reds were beaten 2-1 by Aston Villa in the semi-final on Sunday, denying the Anfield legend a Wembley swansong ahead of his move to MLS club LA Galaxy.

Gerrard was hoping to play his final game for Liverpool in the FA Cup final on his 35th birthday on May 30 but former England teammate Lescott insists it is not a major problem for the Kop legend.

"Steven Gerrard is a winner," Lescott told The Express.

"He's one of the greatest players I've ever played with. He will not be judged on the semi-final because he's already a legend.

"Knowing Stevie the way I do, he's a winner and it rubs off on players around him. He has been at the top of his game throughout his career. He wants to win every game and every training session.

"I'm disappointed for Stevie on a personal note but for what he has done I can only be grateful that I have played alongside him.

"His attitude inspires. In my first England squad he was probably the only player I was starstruck over. I was at Everton at the time and he came over and introduced himself. We all wanted to win but he needed to win.

"That's what I tried to emulate and take away from the training camps and put into my own game."