GROUP C ENGLAND:THE WORLD Cup has scarred Steven Gerrard. From the groin surgery that denied him an appearance at the finals in Asia eight years ago to Ricardo's penalty save in the fateful shoot-out four years later, the tournament has brought him only regret. Now, as the focus fixes rather more on another Scouse talent in England's ranks, the captain is set upon imposing himself at last.
These may yet prove to be Wayne Rooney’s finals but they could just as easily become Gerrard’s.
“I have shown signs that I can do it at this level, by scoring goals and putting in decent performances,” he said.
“But, for me, the challenge is: can I lead a group of players all the way to the final? And can I perform consistently in every game at a major tournament? That is what I will be aiming to do. I’m in a good moment. Physically, I’m in great shape. Mentally I’m fine. I’m champing at the bit and I can’t wait to get going.”
The Liverpool midfielder arrived in South Africa frustrated by a season of disappointment at Anfield. By the evening of his first day at the Royal Bafokeng sports campus, news was filtering through that Rafael Benitez was on the verge of leaving the club.
It was in this context that Rio Ferdinand’s tumble and twist in training the next morning propelled the deputy into command. With all thoughts of life at Anfield banished, Gerrard addressed the media yesterday as the man who hopes to raise the trophy in Johannesburg next month.
For now, the necessity is to impose the displays of which he has been so capable with his club upon the world’s best.
The 30-year-old is recognised in the Premier League as an inspiration, a player whose energy and drive can rip opponents apart.
At this level he has yet to leave a lasting mark. The last World Cup had as many lows as highs. There were two goals in the group stage in Germany, against Trinidad Tobago and Sweden, to establish him as his country’s leading scorer at the finals.
But England’s rhythm was disjointed in 2006 and Gerrard only offered flashes of his true capabilities.
“We all do feel that, to be recognised as a ‘truly great’ player, you have to show it on this stage,” he said. “Everyone wants to prove they can go to a World Cup and shine. Do that and you’re a top player. It gives me some extra motivation, extra drive, to think there have only been nine men who have captained England at the World Cup before me, and I want to be a successful captain.
“Of course, it would have been better if Rio was still here and leading the boys out, but he is not with us. The job falls on my shoulders and I’m really excited. I am going to use the pressure and expectation to drive me on.
“To be the leader of the pack is an unbelievable feeling, a great honour. Hopefully that will help my performances because we’re all desperate to do well. We want to deliver at this tournament and we don’t want to be going home early. I want to lead the boys as far as I can in this tournament. The people around me won’t allow the armband to become a burden.
“We’ve got to use the hurt from not having qualified for Euro 2008 to spur us on to delivering here. We have to prove to people we are a good side. We have been working very hard and, each day, we are getting sharper and better. I can see that in people like Rooney. The last couple of days he has been unbelievable in training. If the big players can perform at this World Cup, I believe we can be successful.”
Talk of Rooney, inevitably, dominates given the acceptance that England will need their forward at his best to progress. The 24-year-old should feature in further tournaments although his time may be here and now.
“He’s in a position to make this World Cup his own,” his captain said when asked if the striker could have the same impact as Pele in 1970 or Diego Maradona in 1986.
“He’s physically in great shape and the stage is set for him to deliver – to be England’s main man. . . and he is in the same bracket as people like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi. I’m just delighted he is English. We will be behind him.
“People talk about the yellow card he got the other day but that’s Rooney. He is always on the edge and has just got that fire in his belly.
“If Wayne channels his frustrations in the right way, he can be one of the players of this tournament.”
So, too, could the captain.
