Boss confident of skipper repeats
Reds boss Brendan Rodgers has no doubt that Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard can continue to reproduce the kind of swashbuckling performance he showed for England in midweek at club level.
The 33-year-old sealed the Three Lions' qualification for next summer's World Cup with a late burst beyond the Poland defence and composed finish over the goalkeeper at Wembley on Tuesday evening.
Rodgers described the effort as a 'typical Gerrard goal' at his press conference yesterday before launching into a lengthy and impassioned discussion of the midfielder's unrivalled attributes.
He also told the Liverpool Echo: "It's a great credit to him and his qualities that he's so comfortable in a number of different roles.
"I always said his game will change over these coming years but that's not necessarily now. There have been no specific instructions for him to sit any more than he has done with England.
"When I play three midfield players I only look at one of the midfield players to hold.
"Whether I play with the structure of two in front of a one, or one in front of a two, I always like to have two attacking midfield players and one defensive, controlling player.
"Is he still able to do for us what he did for England the other night? Absolutely.
"I was delighted for Steven. His role for England is so important and it gets extremely under-played a lot of the time.
"His leadership since he was appointed England captain and how he has marshalled that group through has been outstanding.
"He sets the example and his performance level has been incredible. I think sometimes because of the level he has set it sometimes gets taken for granted.
"Make no mistake, the England players and the manager were under real pressure in those two games but they have come out of them with flying colours."
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Gerrard and Daniel Sturridge made significant contributions in each of England's final two qualifiers - Montenegro had previously been beaten 4-1 - while Raheem Sterling joined the squad for the second match.
With Glen Johnson returning from injury, the full-back can plan for a journey to Brazil too, and the Liverpool manager expressed his pleasure at the opportunity ahead for those players.
"Both Steven and Daniel are very proud to play for their country and I'm very happy for them," he added.
"They have come back in great spirits and they have a lot to look forward to. I think Steven probably knows next year will be his last shot at a World Cup and I'm sure he'll be giving everything.
"As for Daniel, he has gone away with England and made that No.9 shirt look like he should be wearing it for years to come.
"I'm pleased for him because he has worked very hard at his game and hopefully by the time that squad for the World Cup is announced we'll have a few more names in there.
"Everyone has come back unscathed from the internationals. We had a good win in our last game against Crystal Palace before the international break and we're all looking forward to getting back into it. We'll be ready for Newcastle."