The 19-year-old Spaniard revealed the French legend was his favourite player until he played with the Anfield captain, whose desire to improve himself has been inspirational

Liverpool starlet Suso has revealed that Steven Gerrard has displaced Zinedine Zidane as his footballing idol, with the Anfield captain’s work ethic being an inspiration to the youngster.

The 19-year-old joined the Premier League club in 2010 from Cadiz, and the promising midfielder has since made 18 appearances for the Reds.

And while France legend Zidane will always have a place in his heart, the Spaniard says it is 32-year-old England captain’s dedication to personal improvement which sets him apart from the rest of the footballing world.

“When I was young I’d always say Zidane but since I’ve been here I would say Stevie [Gerrard],” Suso told Liverpool’s official website when asked who his footballing idol was.

“Every time I see him it’s like he’s from another world. He works hard every day and he always wants to improve even though he has won almost everything.

“At 32, he still wants to keep getting better. That shows me how much I have to learn.”

Despite Liverpool struggling in ninth place in the Premier League table, Gerrard has been in resurgent form of late – although his penalty miss with the score still 0-0 against West Brom on Monday proved costly as the Baggies went on to win 2-0.

The Reds have a chance to make amends with a tricky home game against Swansea on Sunday afternoon, where they can rise to seventh place if they overcome Michael Laudrup’s Capital One Cup finalists.