Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is of the belief that Steven Gerrard can be as good as a new signing for the club this season.
The 33-year old Reds captain recently signed a two-year contract extension, which would most likely allow him to finish his one-club career at Anfield, and Rodgers says it is as good a signing as the club has made in recent times.
"His influence here is still at such a high level - the role he's provided for me is so important," said Rodgers.
"I told the club in the summer that our biggest signing could be Steven Gerrard, because of the influence he has on everyone. It's about his hunger to learn and the leadership that offers.
"It's vital to have a good lieutenant and him and Carra (Jamie Carragher) were certainly that for me last year - and he has picked up the baton again."
Of the man who has played more than 600 times and scored over 150 goals for Liverpool, Rodgers added: "I don't see anyone like him, he's absolutely phenomenal and still someone who is very, very important.
"I just see the quality in his game. He is still, for me, the best passer of a ball in the Premier League. You see some of them he hits from all over the field and it's incredible, how he strikes it. Nobody can do it like him.
"He's 33 now, but I feel he could go on for a few years, he could adapt his role where he can become the playmaker. His role will be to make the team tick, get them playing. And for me there is no better player in the Premier League to do that.
"To have him on board, certainly for the duration of my contract here and hopefully beyond, that will be brilliant."
