Nothing astounding but it does contain a nice dig at Demento:
STEVEN GERRARD EXCLUSIVE: It's not about getting more caps than Beckham or Moore... I just want to make the country proud again
By DOMINIC KING
PUBLISHED: 22:55, 11 November 2013 | UPDATED: 23:23, 11 November 2013
Steven Gerrard pauses as he considers the question. The subject of caps has come up and he is contemplating his position in England’s all-time list.
Sandwiched between Bobby Moore and Sir Bobby Charlton on 107 appearances, and within touching distance of David Beckham and Peter Shilton, Gerrard has an opportunity to become the most capped player in England’s history.
To do that, though, would mean prolonging his international career, which started 13 years ago against Ukraine. Yet only last week Brendan Rodgers intimated that Gerrard’s involvement with England will end at the close of next summer’s World Cup finals in Brazil.
Ambitious on two fronts: Steven Gerrard has big hopes for both Liverpool and England
Driving on: Gerrard is still a key figure for club and country
So what does his future hold? Gerrard has a dream about England but it has little to do with personal gain. All decisions about retirement will remain on hold as he sets about trying to realise the vision that has been in his mind since he charged the length of Wembley to secure the trip to Brazil.
‘107 caps isn’t bad for someone who isn’t “a top, top player”, is it?’ he says with a telling smile. ‘I never expected to get that amount of caps. When I made my debut, I set myself the personal target of trying to get 50 caps and score 10 goals if I could. So to have 107 is something I am really proud of, particularly being among those names.
‘I’m not looking at Shilton or Beckham. Passing Bobby Moore would be the next one. To go past him, after everything he did, would be unbelievable. But the dream would be to come away from a tournament and everyone back home is proud of the team.
Midfield dynamo: Gerrard says he looks after his body with the help of the Liverpool medical staff
First and last: Gerrard made his England debut against Ukraine in 2000 and won his 107th cap against Poland
‘To be clapped home would be amazing. But it will only happen if we go past the quarter-final. It is not about me passing Bobby Moore, Peter Shilton or David Beckham. To think about that would be very self-centred. I am not that type of person.
‘For me the ambition is this: can I help get the team past a quarter-final? I haven’t really thought about what I will do after the World Cup. It is all about going to enjoy this World Cup. What an experience it will be in Brazil. I am absolutely delighted to help the team get there, it was a great achievement. But now the attention has to switch to: what can we do there?’
We meet on a quiet Monday morning at Liverpool’s Melwood training retreat. It is in moments like these you see why the claim Sir Alex Ferguson made in his autobiography - that he was one of the few who thought ‘Gerrard was not a top, top player’ - is so perplexing.
Brazil bound: Gerrard says England must get past the quarter-finals at the World Cup next year
Gerrard has no wish to become embroiled in a war of words, nor does he want to dwell on the subject. There is little doubt, however, the phrase has left him puzzled, not least because Ferguson made a strong attempt to sign him in the summer of 2004.
‘Listen, he’s entitled to his opinion,’ says Gerrard. ‘I’m a fan of his; he is one of the best managers in the world. I won’t lose any sleep over it. Throughout my career I have had praise from all types of people - including him - and I am not vain enough to take it all. I have had some unbelievable praise from him and he tried to buy me, certainly on one occasion. Maybe even two.
‘For me, the most important thing is what Brendan Rodgers and Roy Hodgson are thinking. I think they are really pleased with me and that is all I will worry about.’
No concern: Sozzled former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said Gerrard was not a 'top, top player'
Rodgers has given his squad the day off yet Gerrard has still chosen to report for work. He is the only one to have done so. A session in the swimming pool, followed by another in the gym helps ensure he can recover quickly from the rigours of the Premier League.
'If I can be healthy then I can cope with Liverpool and England'
He turns 34 next May but, some stiffness in his hip apart, Gerrard’s physical condition has arguably never been better, while off the field being the father of three young girls provides the perfect antidote to the pressures of captaining club and country.
‘I’m managing myself very well on and off the pitch,’ says Gerrard. ‘I have got a fantastic medical team around me. I’ve always said if I can get my body right and be healthy, I can cope with Liverpool and England, no problem.
‘With experience of football and life, you learn to handle things. You know you can cope with the defeats and the bad performances.
‘When I go home, I can totally switch off if I want. When I go through the door, I have to switch into Mickey Mouse world for the youngest (Lourdes), or dancing for the other two (Lilly-Ella and Lexie).
When I leave the car park at Melwood, I try and become a completely different person. I try to get away from it. You have got to. Otherwise you end up like Jamie Carragher - obsessed!’
Face in the crowd: Gerrard is adjusting to life without teammate Jamie Carragher since he retired
The retirement of his great friend has taken some getting used to but there is no sense he feels on his own. If anything, he is still the man who pulls everything together.
Providing ammunition for Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge keeps a zest to his game and his importance to this current Liverpool side was underlined by the ovation he received after conjuring three assists in the 4-0 battering of Fulham.
‘It’s a dream, an absolute dream,’ is the explanation of finding harmony with Liverpool’s front pair. ‘I have always played with one top forward through my career here. Now there are two main men and it is great. I will be honest and say that at the start, I wasn’t sure whether it would work. But it has clicked without much work in training. I’m excited as I think it can get better.
Outnumbered: Gerrard plays a pass despite being crowded out by Fulham players
Star man: Gerrard is enjoying playing with Luis Suarez who is in top form this season
‘Daniel has grown as a player. He has been great for Liverpool but Liverpool have been great for him. If he keeps listening to the right people, he can improve.’
Should Sturridge need an example of the rewards that hard work reaps, he should look at his captain. Never mind the 107 caps, the 10 major honours, the 643 Liverpool appearances. The next test is all that matters to Gerrard and Brazil 2014 will offer the biggest challenge of all.
‘I think there is a lot more realism now,’ says Gerrard. ‘Nobody is blowing us up to be something we are not. That has helped the team.
‘The expectations aren’t crazy, it is realistic. We are not one of the favourites but if we go there and it clicks, who knows?’
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...t-make-England-proud-again.html#ixzz2kO5qViG5
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
STEVEN GERRARD EXCLUSIVE: It's not about getting more caps than Beckham or Moore... I just want to make the country proud again
By DOMINIC KING
PUBLISHED: 22:55, 11 November 2013 | UPDATED: 23:23, 11 November 2013
Steven Gerrard pauses as he considers the question. The subject of caps has come up and he is contemplating his position in England’s all-time list.
Sandwiched between Bobby Moore and Sir Bobby Charlton on 107 appearances, and within touching distance of David Beckham and Peter Shilton, Gerrard has an opportunity to become the most capped player in England’s history.
To do that, though, would mean prolonging his international career, which started 13 years ago against Ukraine. Yet only last week Brendan Rodgers intimated that Gerrard’s involvement with England will end at the close of next summer’s World Cup finals in Brazil.
Ambitious on two fronts: Steven Gerrard has big hopes for both Liverpool and England
Driving on: Gerrard is still a key figure for club and country
So what does his future hold? Gerrard has a dream about England but it has little to do with personal gain. All decisions about retirement will remain on hold as he sets about trying to realise the vision that has been in his mind since he charged the length of Wembley to secure the trip to Brazil.
‘107 caps isn’t bad for someone who isn’t “a top, top player”, is it?’ he says with a telling smile. ‘I never expected to get that amount of caps. When I made my debut, I set myself the personal target of trying to get 50 caps and score 10 goals if I could. So to have 107 is something I am really proud of, particularly being among those names.
‘I’m not looking at Shilton or Beckham. Passing Bobby Moore would be the next one. To go past him, after everything he did, would be unbelievable. But the dream would be to come away from a tournament and everyone back home is proud of the team.
Midfield dynamo: Gerrard says he looks after his body with the help of the Liverpool medical staff
First and last: Gerrard made his England debut against Ukraine in 2000 and won his 107th cap against Poland
‘To be clapped home would be amazing. But it will only happen if we go past the quarter-final. It is not about me passing Bobby Moore, Peter Shilton or David Beckham. To think about that would be very self-centred. I am not that type of person.
‘For me the ambition is this: can I help get the team past a quarter-final? I haven’t really thought about what I will do after the World Cup. It is all about going to enjoy this World Cup. What an experience it will be in Brazil. I am absolutely delighted to help the team get there, it was a great achievement. But now the attention has to switch to: what can we do there?’
We meet on a quiet Monday morning at Liverpool’s Melwood training retreat. It is in moments like these you see why the claim Sir Alex Ferguson made in his autobiography - that he was one of the few who thought ‘Gerrard was not a top, top player’ - is so perplexing.
Brazil bound: Gerrard says England must get past the quarter-finals at the World Cup next year
Gerrard has no wish to become embroiled in a war of words, nor does he want to dwell on the subject. There is little doubt, however, the phrase has left him puzzled, not least because Ferguson made a strong attempt to sign him in the summer of 2004.
‘Listen, he’s entitled to his opinion,’ says Gerrard. ‘I’m a fan of his; he is one of the best managers in the world. I won’t lose any sleep over it. Throughout my career I have had praise from all types of people - including him - and I am not vain enough to take it all. I have had some unbelievable praise from him and he tried to buy me, certainly on one occasion. Maybe even two.
‘For me, the most important thing is what Brendan Rodgers and Roy Hodgson are thinking. I think they are really pleased with me and that is all I will worry about.’
No concern: Sozzled former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said Gerrard was not a 'top, top player'
Rodgers has given his squad the day off yet Gerrard has still chosen to report for work. He is the only one to have done so. A session in the swimming pool, followed by another in the gym helps ensure he can recover quickly from the rigours of the Premier League.
'If I can be healthy then I can cope with Liverpool and England'
He turns 34 next May but, some stiffness in his hip apart, Gerrard’s physical condition has arguably never been better, while off the field being the father of three young girls provides the perfect antidote to the pressures of captaining club and country.
‘I’m managing myself very well on and off the pitch,’ says Gerrard. ‘I have got a fantastic medical team around me. I’ve always said if I can get my body right and be healthy, I can cope with Liverpool and England, no problem.
‘With experience of football and life, you learn to handle things. You know you can cope with the defeats and the bad performances.
‘When I go home, I can totally switch off if I want. When I go through the door, I have to switch into Mickey Mouse world for the youngest (Lourdes), or dancing for the other two (Lilly-Ella and Lexie).
When I leave the car park at Melwood, I try and become a completely different person. I try to get away from it. You have got to. Otherwise you end up like Jamie Carragher - obsessed!’
Face in the crowd: Gerrard is adjusting to life without teammate Jamie Carragher since he retired
The retirement of his great friend has taken some getting used to but there is no sense he feels on his own. If anything, he is still the man who pulls everything together.
Providing ammunition for Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge keeps a zest to his game and his importance to this current Liverpool side was underlined by the ovation he received after conjuring three assists in the 4-0 battering of Fulham.
‘It’s a dream, an absolute dream,’ is the explanation of finding harmony with Liverpool’s front pair. ‘I have always played with one top forward through my career here. Now there are two main men and it is great. I will be honest and say that at the start, I wasn’t sure whether it would work. But it has clicked without much work in training. I’m excited as I think it can get better.
Outnumbered: Gerrard plays a pass despite being crowded out by Fulham players
Star man: Gerrard is enjoying playing with Luis Suarez who is in top form this season
‘Daniel has grown as a player. He has been great for Liverpool but Liverpool have been great for him. If he keeps listening to the right people, he can improve.’
Should Sturridge need an example of the rewards that hard work reaps, he should look at his captain. Never mind the 107 caps, the 10 major honours, the 643 Liverpool appearances. The next test is all that matters to Gerrard and Brazil 2014 will offer the biggest challenge of all.
‘I think there is a lot more realism now,’ says Gerrard. ‘Nobody is blowing us up to be something we are not. That has helped the team.
‘The expectations aren’t crazy, it is realistic. We are not one of the favourites but if we go there and it clicks, who knows?’
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...t-make-England-proud-again.html#ixzz2kO5qViG5
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
