Gerrard pleads with Capello for shine time

Steven Gerrard wants England coach Fabio Capello to give him more freedom to produce the kind of match-winning heroics that have fired Liverpool back into the Premier League title race.

Gerrard's dynamic displays have hauled the Reds to within one point of leaders Manchester United and also helped humiliate Real Madrid in the Champions League.

The Liverpool captain hit a hat-trick against Aston Villa on Sunday to cap a superb run of form that has seen the midfielder come into his own in a more advanced position just behind Spanish striker Fernando Torres.

After two seasons being used in a variety of ways by Kop boss Rafa Benitez, who found it hard to tame the sometimes tactically undisciplined star, Gerrard is thriving in his new role and is hopeful Capello has taken note ahead of Saturday's friendly against Slovakia at Wembley.

"I've never been happier than I am now in my career," Gerrard said. "I played a couple of years on the right when Rafa first came to Liverpool. I had a little moan and a little complain that I was there every week.

"Now I've got two holding midfielders behind me doing an awful lot of running for me and freeing it up for me. And I feel that's when you get the best out of myself, when I'm free to run at defenders and cause danger in the attacking third.

"Rafa's certainly helping me to improve in this position. I'm getting my head around it and really enjoying the freedom of playing in there.

"If I was picked to play there for England I would be really happy. I've played there all season for Liverpool. I think it would help me.

"I'd love nothing better than to be given the chance in that role to try to find that form.

"But that's the manager's decision. Fabio has to make that decision."

Gerrard's belief that he can be an influential figure for England in a central position has not yet been shared by Capello, who played the 29-year-old on the left-wing in his last international appearances against Kazakhstan and Belarus earlier this season.

Capello has so far used Emile Heskey alongside Wayne Rooney in his forward line but, even though he would prefer a central role, Gerrard is adamant he is mature enough to make a positive impact from the flanks.

Although he was never shy of complaining about his role on the right wing for Liverpool in the past, now Gerrard insists he is aware enough to prove useful in any position.

"Maybe when I was younger I was a bit selfish and thinking of myself a bit too much when Rafa was playing me out of position," he said.

"My relationship with Fabio since he came in has been really good. I've had dialogue with him all the time about how to get the best out of me.

"I think my form can be similiar to my club. I think since he came in my form has improved for England.

"It's slightly different because I'm obviously a little bit more out on the left. But the manager has explained that he doesn't want me to be an out and out left winger.

"It's nice to be top of the group but the challenge now is to get qualification sorted and then go into the tournament full of confidence."



Bleier