Real Madrid winger Arjen Robben heaped praise on Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard a week before the two sides are due to meet in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Gerrard is struggling for fitness ahead of the first leg of the tie, which will be played in Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu stadium on Wednesday 25 February. He strained a muscle in Liverpool's FA Cup defeat against Everton two weeks ago and it is not certain he will play in Madrid.

Speaking on Radio Marca on Wednesday, Robben highlighted just how important Gerrard is to the Liverpool side.

"I think he is the best player in the English league," he said.

"You also have to consider Cristiano Ronaldo, but Gerrard has got everything. He is fast, strong, he has got vision and he also scores a lot of goals," said Robben.

However, despite highlighting Gerrard's ability in front of goal, Robben expects the tie against Liverpool to be a low scoring affair.

"Whenever Liverpool plays in a big game, there are very few goals scored. It would be perfect if we could win the first leg 3-0, but we would have to be content with a 1-0."

"It is going to be a problem to play the second game at Anfield, because there will be an incredible atmosphere. We have to try and win in the Bernabeu with an advantage of at least two goals," said Robben.

(Xinhua News Agency February 18, 2009)