Steven Gerrard expects to be in anguish when he watches the
Croatia and Russia games that could eliminate his country from Euro
2008 but there is an even greater apprehension when he peers into
the future. The Liverpool captain does not shy away from a vision
of a deeper decline for the England side and adds his name to the
list of those alarmed by the number of overseas signings in the
Premier League.
I believe," he said, "that if foreigners do take over completely it
will make things even worse for the national team." Gerrard backs a
quota scheme, despite the difficulties of developing a system that
complies with European and national laws. "I'm all for that," he
said. "I support the Liverpool academy now and I am desperate for
another young player to come through into the Liverpool team. I
support that in the national team as well. There's a big danger
that we stop producing quality young kids because of the amount of
foreigners in the game."
Gerrard must realise the dangerous territory he is entering. He and
Michael Owen were the last English teenagers of the highest quality
to emerge at Anfield and the club has felt compelled to look
further afield. The Liverpool line-up for last weekend's game
against Fulham contained three native players and the composition
of the reserve side is similar.
While he is no rebel, Gerrard cannot help but sound at variance
with his club manager, Rafael Benítez, who has authorised the
cosmopolitan recruitment policy. The player, of course, appreciates
the realities: "You've got to understand the manager's situation
going into big games." On the whole, top-flight managers do not
trust in youngsters. But Gerrard said: "Kids will only turn into
good players if they are given the chance. I would not be sitting
here without the chance that Gérard Houllier gave me."
Idealism is gripping the midfielder, possibly because jeopardy in
the Euro 2008 qualifiers underlines how much is at stake. Gerrard
does not hesitate to declare international football a greater
priority. "When I join up with England these games are bigger than
Champions League games or league games," said. "You're representing
your country. If you go to a major tournament and play well or
achieve something as a team it's going to be a lot bigger than
achieving something at your club."
This sort of talk will exasperate Benítez when Liverpool are
struggling in their Champions League group. The club's owners might
find such views toxic and Anfield fans could have different aims
from Gerrard. He will not budge. "Maybe that is supporters being
selfish," he said, "but as a player you want to play in the biggest
games. Those are European [Championship] games and World Cup
games."
Gerrard reiterated his backing for the manager, Steve McClaren, and
argued that blame for bad results has lain with the players. He
realises that he and the rest of the squad will come in for hostile
treatment at Wembley should the meeting with Croatia be
meaningless.
"If we don't get [to Euro 2008]," he said, "we are going to be in
for a difficult night, which is understandable. You've got to take
it on the chin. It's not going to help the team if we are going to
be jeered at. I would plead with the fans to stay with us. I'm an
England fan as well and I do understand them being frustrated if we
don't qualify. They are the best supporters out there and they do
want to go to [Euro 2008]."