Gerrard: Big guns cannot rest on their laurels

Steven Gerrard admits eve the “so-called big names” in the England squad can no longer take their places for granted after their embarrassing defeat in Northern Ireland – including himself.

However, as he absolved Sven-Goran Eriksson of blame for England’s upset in Belfast, the Liverpool midfielder vowed to lead the national team to the World Cup finals.

Gerrard admitted his own recent international form has been “very average”, having initially feared he could be dropped ahead of Saturday’s qualifier against Austria.

However, his performances for Liverpool have since made him an automatic selection alongside Frank Lampard in central midfield, with David Beckham and Michael Owen also set to start training today.

Beckham flew into Manchester yesterday after staying in Madrid for his son Romeo’s hospital visit, while Owen came through a full work-out with physio Gary Lewin after receiving treatment following a dead leg.

Indeed, while Eriksson has been choosing between Rio Ferdinand, Sol Campbell and John Terry in defence, with Wayne Rooney suspended, his other leading players should all line up at Old Trafford.

Gerrard nevertheless admitted: “Maybe the team has been picking itself of late. But after the recent performances, the so-called big names could be more on their toes now and not taking their positions for granted.

“I think you will see that in the performances to come and it will be healthy.”

The Liverpool midfielder is ready to sit deeper to make his central partnership with Lampard work against Austria, admitting he must start to reproduce his club form for his country.

“I love playing for my country and I am very proud to do it. The only concern I have got is to try and raise my form and produce a bit more at this level,” he confessed.

“I am confident in my own ability and I have done well for Liverpool. But when you come to England, it’s a completely different kind of pressure and the games are different.

“I have had some highs and lows with England. Hopefully I can perform at the level I want to perform at in the next two games. I don’t think it’s a confidence thing, I have just found the games really difficult at international level.

“I still think that I have got things to prove at this level and hopefully if we get to the World Cup then I can show that.

“It is difficult to play five or six games as an attacking midfielder for Liverpool and then come in and set the world alight in the so-called holding role, but I do feel I have got the ability to adapt and play that role.”

Eriksson was widely criticised after England’s defeats by Denmark and Northern Ireland, as well as their narrow win in Wales.

However, Gerrard insisted: “I don’t think the manager is to blame for the bad performances of late. It’s the players that he picked who you have got to blame.”

“There is enough quality in that dressing room to go to Denmark and win, to beat Wales more comfortably and to turn Northern Ireland over.

“The defeat in Belfast was the lowest point I have had with England and I am still hurting from it now. We can’t wait until Saturday to get it out of our system. Do we owe the nation a performance? Yes, big time.”