What is the best goal you have ever scored for Liverpool?

I think the most important goal I've scored was the one in Istanbul to get us back to 3-1, but one of the best was probably against Middlesborough at home last season. That was a nice goal on the eye but the most important was definitely the one in Istanbul.

You already look like the complete player but are there any parts of your game that you feel you can improve?

Yes I'm still trying to improve every day. I train to improve, I don't just train for training's sake. I'm still trying to learn loads from the coaching staff here and off my team mates because you can never stop learning and improving your game.

Can you explain exactly what you were thinking just before you kissed the European cup in Istanbul?

It was just a big weight of my shoulders really. It was obviously a big disappointment to lose in the Carling Cup final and as a captain you wonder if you are ever going to lift a trophy. It was just a relief that I could lift my first cup, and being a European champion made it the greatest feeling in my footballing life.

As Liverpool captain how excited are you about what Rafael Benitez is building at Anfield?

Very excited. There's been a lot of improvement from last season, we've just gone into the fourth round of the FA Cup, we're in the last 16 of the Champions league and we're also tucked in nicely in the league with a couple of games in hand. Things are looking really good, the team's getting betterand better, the squad's getting stronger and he's still after more players so the future's looking bright for the team

You're obviously a very proud Liverpudlian but after recently calling Kevin Nolan a good scouser and Mike Newell a good scouse manager, do you see being scouse as a great quality in people?

It's nice as a scouser to see other scousers doing really well. Kevin's flying at Bolton and it was important that I let people know that I'm not going to deliberately try and hurt someone on a football pitch, especially someone I know really well. I know Mike Newell as a friend as well as a Luton manager so its nice to see people from our area doing well.

What did you think of Wayne Rooney's comments that seeing you lift the European cup made him feel sick?

I'm not surprised. I'd probably get a similar feeling to him if Man Utd were to go and do it - that's just the rivalry between the two clubs. It's great to see Wayne doing well because he's a great mate of mine from the England set up and he's absolutely flying at the moment. I think a couple of years down the line we'll be talking about him as one of the best players in the world

When you're on the pitch do you ever have to stop yourself from laughing at some of the things you hear from the crowd?

Now and again. The Liverpool fans have got some great songs and they're really sharp. It is funny.

How much are you involved with Rafa when it comes to bringing new players to the club - does he ever consult you?

No that's got nothing to do with me. That's between the manager, Rick Parry and the staff, but he has spoken to me about certain players and if he asks me for my opinion then I'll give him an honest answer. He might ask me what a player is like off the pitch and if I can help him to make a decision on that player then fine.

I'm planning a night out after Liverpool play Spurs - can you recommend anywhere good to go in town?

There's loads of good places. I'll probably be out myself if the result goes well and have a nice bite to eat with my missus. There's a lot of good places, it's difficult to pick one.