Steven Gerrard has insisted he is happy with his form as England prepare for next month’s World Cup (6/1 to lift the trophy) and believes he is back to something like his best.
The midfield lynchpin has endured a disappointing season with Liverpool, who only finished seventh in the league after pushing Manchester United all the way the previous year and crashed out of the Champions League in the group stages only to get knocked out of the Europa League in the semi-finals.
The Anfield giants were also sent packing from the FA Cup after losing at home to Reading and were knocked out of the Carling Cup by Arsenal’s young guns.
Gerrard did not have the best season on a personal level as he was hampered by injury and struggled for consistency, and has been linked with a move away in the summer following claims he has fallen out with boss Rafael Benitez.
However, the 29-year-old has insisted he has put his Liverpool troubles behind him and believes he is rediscovering his best form with the summer showpiece only days away.
“It has been a difficult season – personally and for the Liverpool group as a whole – because we’ve under-achieved,” Gerrard said.
“It has been really tough dealing with those setbacks.
“But now we are here for England, it is important club issues are put to one side.
“The good thing is my form has come back closer to where I want it to be.
“At the moment I am feeling good. I finished the season quite strongly personally.”
England begin their campaign on June 12 and are 1/3 favourites to win Group C, with USA available at 4/1, Slovenia at 9/1 and Algeria the outsiders at 12/1.
Fabio Capello’s men kick off against USA on June 12 and are strongly fancied at 8/15 to take the three points, with the Americans priced at 5/1 and the draw at 11/4.
Gerrard has also emphasised how important Wayne Rooney (10/1 to finish as the tournament’s top goalscorer) is to England’s chances of going far in the competition.
“Wayne’s form this season has been up there as one of the best players in the world,” he said.
“As a team-mate, you are hoping and keeping your fingers crossed that he stays fit and carries that form on into the World Cup.
“He is our key man, he is great to have around the place, off the field as well.
“He is a big player for us, and hopefully he can stay away from injury.”
David Villa is currently the favourite at 9/1 to top the scoring charts with Spain outright favourites at 4/1 to lift the World Cup, while Brazil’s Luis Fabiano and Argentina’s Lionel Messi are both available at 10/1 to win the Golden Boot.
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