Gerrard's late second-half hat-trick inspired the side to a Europa League victory which highlighted the gulf in class within the squad. The Reds were deservedly behind to Ezequiel Lavezzi's goal after a dire first-half performance but the England midfielder's introduction at the interval changed the dynamic. Gerrard led from the front and scored three goals in the final 15 minutes to extend Liverpool's lead at the top of Group K. Gerrard told five: "We went a goal down and the manager asked me to come on and see if I could help get the lads back in it. Every one of the lads in the second half was just fantastic." His equaliser came from a 50-50 challenge with goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis after a terrible backpass and he said: "For the first goal when you're put in that position against a giant of a goalkeeper you've just got to go in and hope for the best. "There was no class involved, just determination and desire and I don't think the keeper fancied it." He added: "Everyone played their part tonight. I'm sure I'll get the headlines but it certainly wasn't just about me." Reds boss Roy Hodgson hailed Gerrard's contribution. "I thought we were unlucky to be 1-0 down at half-time," he said. "I don't think we played as well as we can but I don't think we deserved to be a goal down. "We showed an awful lot of character and determination in the second half and it took some Steven Gerrard magic, and courage and determination, which I thought epitomised our second-half performance. "He was the catalyst."
