England captain hails in-form Glen Johnson as one of the world's best

England captain Steven Gerrard singled out team-mate Glen Johnson for special praise after Liverpool's 3-2 victory over West Ham United on Sunday.

The pair, both contenders for the 2012 England Player Of The Year Award, were in good form at the Boleyn Ground, with Johnson opening the scoring with a stunning strike.

And Reds skipper Gerrard believes Johnson's impressive performances for both club and country in 2012 put him up there with the world's best right-backs.

He said: "It was a special goal from Glen and he's a player in form.

"He's been fantastic for us since the start of the season. It's no shock to me. I play for Liverpool and England with him.

"His consistency levels, and not just this season but for a long time now, have been very good.

"He's certainly up there with the best right-backs in the world."

The win lifts Brendan Rodgers' team into tenth spot in the Premier League and within striking distance of the top four teams.

And with the improving form shown by the Anfield side, Gerrard believes they are a team to be watched over the rest of the season.

"If we play in the right way and do what the manager asks us then we will win games," he added.

"Every win does a lot for the group and we did it without not only our top scorer {the suspended Luis Suarez} but one of the top scorers in the Premier League.

"People will always doubt you and question what's going to come from this team.

"A lot of people have said for years we're a one-man team or a two-man team.

"We can't control what people say and their opinions, but we know we have got a lot of good players here."

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