Steven
Gerrard has vowed to get even better after
picking up his Football Writers' Player of the Year award in London
last night. <!-- END SYNOPSIS -->
The skipper enjoyed another scintillating season at the heart of
the Reds' title push and believes both he and Liverpool are on the
verge of an even better campaign next time out.
"The coaches at Liverpool and England are always driving me on,
trying to improve me as a player. I am 29 on Saturday and I still
feel I can get better," he said.
"I am still learning every single day in training, working on parts
of my game, am still very hungry and ambitious.
"There is still a lot to achieve for me personally, for Liverpool
and England, so hopefully next year is going to be a lot bigger for
me trophy wise.
"The night has blown me away to be honest, I did not realise it was
such a big event with so many people here.
"I would love nothing better than to come back here and share this
evening with you again, so I will certainly try my best to be here
next year."
He added: "I would not be standing here without my family, my wife
and a few close friends are here tonight, and I have to say a big
thank you to them.
"Also my club manager, Rafael Benitez, who has a lot of belief in
me.
"He has pushed me further forwards into a role I am absolutely
loving at the moment - every time I go out, I feel so
confident.
"It is great to be here to receive an individual award, but without
my teammates, I would not be able to be here.
"They have been fantastic this season and I am proud to be the
captain of such a great team.
"Although this is an individual award, I would much rather be in a
London hotel now preparing with my team-mates for the FA Cup
final.
"Now, however, I believe we are moving forwards and are capable of
challenging for major honours."
At a gala dinner to celebrate Gerrard's prize the toast to the FWA
was made by Fabio Capello, with the England boss urging the
midfielder to continue his club form into the forthcoming World Cup
qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Andorra.
Capello said: "Steve, you have played a fantastic season, and
scored a lot of goals. Now, please, just two more to help us
towards South Africa."
Gerrard responded by insisting he would do his very best to ensure
his country are in the World Cup finals next summer.
He said: "The new manager has come in and changed things. I can
honestly say it is a good time to be an England player.
"I have got a lot of belief in the England manager and his coaching
staff.
"I think it is going to be an exciting year and hopefully we can
get [World Cup] qualification sorted as quickly as possible.
"Then hopefully we can do better than we have done in previous
years for England."