Source: Eurosport
Gerrard relishes forward thinking
Steven Gerrard would jump at the chance to occupy the same roving role for England that he has carried out with such success at Liverpool.Fabio Capello has yet to reveal how he intends to use Gerrard, who missed the last two internationals, when the Three Lions square up to Slovakia in a friendly at Wembley on Saturday.But Gerrard is keen to continue the form that has powered Liverpool to within a point of Manchester United in the Premier League and that means operating behind a main striker."I would be very happy," revealed the Liverpool skipper."It is the manager's decision, of course, but I have played there all season for Liverpool and that would help me."It is not that long ago Gerrard would have fretted at being made to play anywhere other than the central-midfield berth he made his name in.Certainly the 28-year-old made his opposition to being picked on the right wing pretty plain in the Liverpool dressing room a few years ago as speculation increased about Gerrard's relationship with Rafael Benitez."I had a little moan that I was there every week," he said."Rafa said that when he got strong enough players to play out wide, he wanted me in a central position attacking."He felt that was my best position. But I had to sacrifice myself on the right."Gerrard accepts his reaction might not have been ideal as he can now see the fruits of Benitez's labours."Maybe when I was a bit selfish when I was younger," he reflected."I used to think of myself a bit too much when he was playing me out of position."I should have taken a deep breath and realised it was for the team."But, at the moment, he is playing me in my favourite position, I am captain and we are winning. Our relationship has got stronger as time has gone by."For years and years I have moaned about not being involved in a title race and being far away from the others."At the moment, I am playing in a team that's capable of beating anyone in the league."Gerrard's enthusiasm is so great he is set to sign a new contract, even though he still has two years left on his current one."I have never been happier throughout my whole career than I am at the moment," he said."I have two years left on my contract and if there was a chance to extend it, I am sure I would."I am playing in a top team, with world-class players and I believe in the manager. Going forward, I am sure we can be successful."[LNB]
