• World Cup

Capello will never give Gerrard 'Liverpool role'

ESPN staff
March 3, 2010
Steven Gerrard is no competition for Jermain Defoe © Getty Images
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Fabio Capello has revealed he will never consider playing Steven Gerrard behind a lone striker in the World Cup.

Gerrard has produced some of his best club form for Liverpool playing in an advanced role just behind Fernando Torres. The England midfielder scored 25 goals from that position last season, and Torres' return from injury against Blackburn aided Gerrard to bag his 10th of the current campaign.

With Wayne Rooney at his disposal, Fabio Capello has the option of using Gerrard in a similar manner for England, but the Italian flatly refuses such a suggestion. Liverpool's talisman will skipper England in the absence of Rio Ferdinand against Egypt on Wednesday, and Capello insists he will do so from a midfield role.

"No, no, never," was Capello's response when asked if he would utilise Gerrard as a second forward.

"My style is always two forwards. In my style it's always important to play two forwards, the other one very close. So not Gerrard, no. Steve will play like a midfielder who goes forward. It will be Rooney with another striker."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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