Carra drools over 'outstanding' Gerrard

14 June 2010 09:08
Jamie Carragher believes England's World Cup skipper Steven Gerrard can play the holding midfield role "as well as anyone in the world."[LNB] Gerrard scored England's opening goal in the tournament during yesterday's 1-1 draw with the United States, slotting home a perfectly weighted pass from Emile Heskey.[LNB]But the 30-year-old also showed his worth in making several vital tackles and interceptions when dropping back.[LNB]Carragher, who replaced the injured Ledley King at half-time, said: "It's a great achievement to captain your country at the World Cup and I thought Stevie was outstanding.[LNB]"That was not just because of the goal but because he was snapping into tackles as well.[LNB]"Sometimes people say Stevie and Frank Lampard can't play in that role - but Stevie can play the holding role as well as anyone in the world.[LNB]"He can play right back, off the front man, central midfield, attack.[LNB]"At times that's a problem for us because he can play so well in so many different positions. He leads by example and that's what he did against USA.[LNB]Carragher feels England will benefit from having played at altitude in terms of their fitness for the rest of the tournament.[LNB]He said: "We will look at the game, look at the video look at the statistics and different things.[LNB]"But, at the end of the season and at the end of a match like that, everyone's going to feel it and that's both teams.[LNB]"Maybe it (adjusting to the altitude) will improve as we go on. It is always the same at the World Cup.[LNB]"As you go on, you adjust more to the conditions. You don't look 100 per cent in the first game."[LNB]Carragher admitted he had to pull out of a tackle on USA striker Jozy Altidore when he burst through on goal for fear of being sent off after having already been booked.[LNB]It needed a fine save from Robert Green to deny the player who spent last season on loan at Hull and partially atoned for his goal-costing error in the first half.[LNB]Carragher said: "It was good play by him (Altidore) but I probably got a bit too tight to him.[LNB]"I had been booked early on so I couldn't afford to make the tackle because I was worried about being sent off.[LNB]"But credit to Rob Green he made a great save that shows the mental strength and character of the man after what happened with the goal."[LNB]Carragher also admits he expects to learn a lot from England coach Fabio Capello during the next month after being coaxed out of international retirement by the Italian.[LNB]He said: "It's a learning curve for me. I might be 32 now but you never stop learning.[LNB]"He has been one of top managers over last 15-20 years so over the next four or five weeks I'm sure I will learn a lot from him.[LNB]"It is a similar way of working to Rafa (Benitez) really, so I'm used to that and I think the players want that sort of intensity."

Source: Team_Talk