ENGLAND have always provided us Reds with a sort of love/hate feeling.
We love it when one of ours performs well and is lauded by domestic opposition fans; allowing us to become ever so slightly smug, and think: ‘He is ours! Look what you’re missing, week in, week out!’, whilst we hate the fact that over the years, the involvement of international football has often robbed us of our most influential players, sending them back clutching a doctor’s note; injured, and missing vital parts of the season.
Another negative, particularly were England have been concerned, is the fact that our heroes have never been fully appreciated by the country. Club form has mostly tended to outshine country performances, leading to non-Reds bemoaning the player’s worth to the national cause. But how often was this down to misuse of the said individual? Played in the wrong position, employing wrong tactics, and scared to make changes for fear of upsetting any egos in the squad.
Case in point: Steven Gerrard.
Our home-grown Captain Fantastic has had to put up with being shunted all over the park whilst playing for England throughout his international career. Whilst this quandary (Gerrard’s best position) may not be exclusive to England – he has performed multiple roles for LFC – Frank Lampard’s inclusion in the team negated Stevie’s full impact; it was the Liverpool man (clearly the better player) who was moved, rather than the Chelsea midfielder.
However, when Roy Hodgson was newly installed as England coach and appointed Gerrard the undisputed captain of his country, the effect appears to have galvanised him. Previously, Gerrard led England in the 2010 World Cup but that was by default; in the wake of the John Terry ‘affair’ and Rio Ferdinand’s injury woes. Then, there was the Scott Parker debacle!
With the captaincy giving Gerrard a backing he had not previously received at international level, his confidence has grown and England are now reaping the rewards in Euro 2012.
With Frank Lampard’s injury also ruling him out of the tournament, the old issue of whether ‘they can play together’ disappeared. Gerrard has finally been given the freedom to perform in his favoured central role, which matters to him – and as captain. He is finally England’s main man!
As Euro 2012 progresses, Gerrard’s influence on his nation, and the tournament, has grown. He is one of only a few players to stand out during the Championships thus far, providing 3 assists during the group stages albeit from his slightly more withdrawn central role, whilst putting in tireless but measured and mature performances, working in tandem with Scott Parker.
If Gerrard and England can overcome Italy in Sunday’s quarter-final, the old enemy Germany stands in their way of a first major final since ’66 – this matters to the nation who gave birth to modern football. England fans will be praying another Gerrard-inspired performance will see them through.
Steven Gerrard has always mattered to Liverpool fans, and now it seems he finally matters to England.
But what matters most to you in football?
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