Eriksson denies Gerrard 'problem'
Sep 23 2005
EXCLUSIVE by Richard Williamson, Daily Post
SVEN-GORAN Eriksson has hailed Steven Gerrard as the "complete player" and insisted there were no problems in asking the Liverpool skipper to fill a variety of positions while on international duty.
The England manager found himself at the centre of a fierce storm of criticism following his side's World Cup humbling by Northern Ireland that leaves their hopes of qualifying for the finals in Germany in the balance.
Eriksson's decision to abandon a more traditional 4-4-2 approach for a 4-5-1 formation for the games against Wales and Lawrie Sanchez's side came under attack after a laboured 1-0 win in Cardiff and England's first defeat in Belfast since 1927.
Many observers pointed out that the system left Liverpool's inspirational midfielder Gerrard and his England colleague Frank Lampard as peripheral figures, while some reports even went so far as to suggest that Gerrard was left confused by the changing roles he was being asked to play.
But Eriksson believes it is vital his players are flexible ahead of a major tournament and that in Gerrard he has a player who is both happy and capable of playing in a number of different positions.
"He does not have any problems with playing in different roles," said Eriksson, in an exclusive interview with the Daily Post. "It works for Liverpool, sometimes even within the same game.
"He can play second striker, wide left, wide right or where he is needed and that makes him a complete player."
Eriksson added: "Whenever I talk to Steven he says he is happy wherever he plays. There is not a problem.
"Steven Gerrard is a player who always knows what he has to do on the pitch, even if he has not been told.
"It is important we should be able to play in different ways, especially going into a big tournament."
Eriksson admitted Gerrard had not hit his usual high playing standards as England's World Cup qualifying campaign faltered, but pointed that a calf injury had disrupted his early part of the new season.
"The only problem we have had is that Steve has been injured," he said. "He has not played as well as he can. I did speak to Rafael Benitez about the situation and he was worried too, but I was happy to pick Steven for the recent games.
"He is one of the best players in the world and you hope those players can do a job for you. We did not win the last game, but that does not mean I would not pick Steven, and others, again.
"I still believe these are the best group of players we have and that they can do a job for us in qualifying for the finals."
Eriksson is confident his side can turn the tables on the critics. Victories in the final two qualifying games - against Austria and Poland next month - would see England finish the campaign at the top of the group.
"I hear of the criticism, but do not argue," he said. "It is what we do on the pitch against Austria and Poland that matters. I am sure we will have a positive response to the Northern Ireland result."
