Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Scott Parker was preferred to Gerrard for the captaincy last month, can the duo form a partnership at Euro 2012?
Steven Gerrard’s performance last night was superb, as far Liverpool were concerned it was just what the doctor ordered.
A derby day hat-trick against Merseyside rivals Everton was likely beyond Gerrard’s highest expectations himself.
It has been a really frustrating 18 months for Gerrard, in and out of the Liverpool side with injury, and barely able to strike up any sort of on-pitch partnership with Luis Suarez or Andy Carroll.
But Steven Gerrard’s frustrating time with England dates back throughout most of the last decade, shunted around the midfield by various managers.
In fact many England fans greatest memory of Gerrard wearing the three lions badge came 11 years ago, in the 5-1 demolition of Germany in Munich.
He missed out on World Cup 2002 through injury, and since then it has been a tale of misery with fleeting promise, as a midfield partnership with Frank Lampard never looked like coming good.
Last summer Fabio Capello seemed to set his heart on a three-man midfield, and if fit Gerrard would have got the nod to play in there alongside Parker and Wilshere.
With Wilshere injured and Gerrard missing most of the season, not to mention Capello’s resignation, the plans seemed to be crumbling.
However last night showed Gerrard has not lost the energy, wisdom and timing that made him one of Europe’s most feared midfielders.
If he can stay fit, he will be far fresher than any of his Euro 2012 rivals, having sat out most of the first part of the season, he could have a big impact this summer.
Liverpool fans feel their talisman has been poorly treated by England management through the years, with the captaincy snub the last straw, and there were even calls for Gerrard to call it quits and retire.
Fortunately for England Gerrard seems to have no such intention. What fans would dearly love is for Gerrard to match his derby heroics with a hat-trick against France at Euro 2012. We can dream any way…
Can Steven Gerrard be a big player for England at Euro 2012 or will he remain an international enigma?
image: © wonker
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