Barnes, the last Liverpool player to win the award in 1990, believes the Anfield skipper is a worthy winner of the award for his all-action performances at the heart of the Reds' engine room.
“Liverpool have improved dramatically this season and Steven has been at the very heart of that so congratulations to him as his form deserved to be recognised," he said.
“Steven is a team player, a leader in every sense with his goals, performances and selfless work for the team.
“He has played a big part in Liverpool’s resurgence and will be driving the team forward again next season as my old club continues to close the gap on Manchester United.”
Liverpool have pushed the Red Devils all the way for league glory in 2008/09, but with United needing just a point from their final two games to retain the trophy, a first Premier League title arriving at Anfield appears unlikely.
And although there will be no other silverware filling the Liverpool trophy cabinet this season, Gerrard has been in scintillating form.
The 28-year-old has netted 15 Premier League goals this term, with only Ronaldo and Nicolas Anelka scoring more.
“The players who usually pick up this award play for the teams who generally win the league so not only is this a testament to Steven’s performances over the season, it is also a testament to the Liverpool players around him," said Barnes.
“This is the closest that my old club have come to winning the title for a number of years and this is another sign that they are getting closer to doing just that."
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