Gerrard a gem

13 April 2012

With one touch and a deadly finish, Michael Owen dispersed in an instant any gloom hanging over Sven Goran Eriksson, England and Liverpool.

But it was the instinctive, inch-perfect pass which helped Liverpool to a vital victory over Sunderland which will have really given England coach Eriksson the greatest relief.

It was delivered with typical accuracy by Steven Gerrard, playing on the right of midfield, a role which so desperately needs filling this week, and perhaps in June.

So impressive was Gerrard's performance in a win which keeps Liverpool in touch with Arsenal, that Chris Waddle, one of the most gifted wide men to play for England, is convinced the Liverpool midfielder is David Beckham's obvious replacement if he fails to recover from injury before the start of the World Cup.

Waddle said: 'Gerrard can play anywhere, which is how it should be. If you asked any member of the French squad to play in any position, they could do it. Thierry Henry would do a job at full back if he was asked and that's what you expect from quality players.

'I think you'll see Steven playing at centre back regularly before he ends his career but I watched him on the right here and think he could fill the role in place of David Beckham.'

And Waddle is equally confident that Nicky Butt could provide cover if Gerrard is asked to step to the right from his preferred role alongside Butt's Manchester United team-mate Paul Scholes.

He said: 'You wouldn't necessarily miss Gerrard in the middle because we have plenty of central midfielders to choose from. Nicky Butt would be my choice. He has matured this season and done well in the big games alongside Paul Scholes, who is another quality player.

'Gerrard's pass for the winner was cultured, weighted and skilful and he made it look so easy, but it was a hard pass.

'And in the first two minutes he hit a wonderful ball the length of the pitch for Michael Owen and in the second half he was hitting passes out to the left for John Arne Riise.

'He has the full array for distances and hardly ever wastes the ball, yet he always makes it look easy. He can head, tackle and has great pace and I'd like to see him more involved in set-pieces.'

A rare opportunity for Owen on Saturday provided three crucial points for Liverpool in the title race. The visitors narrowly shaded a close contest and Nicolas Anelka deserved better when his effort hit the inside of the post after his breathtaking skill had left Darren Williams and Jody Craddock floundering.

Sunderland will be kicking themselves over second-half misses from Niall Quinn, who was denied a goal by Jerzy Dudek's brilliant acrobatic save and his own, uncharacteristically off-target, header from the rejuvenated Kevin Kilbane's cross.

Defeat leaves Sunderland still needing one more win before manager Peter Reid can start the rebuilding process in the safe knowledge that it will be for the Premiership.

Suspension looms for Gavin McCann and his midfield partner Claudio Reyna, who is helping to bring out the best in the former Everton man. McCann's future at the Stadium of Light will be one of many under scrutiny during the close season.

Reyna's dismissal in the final minute was Sunderland's first of the season and another blow to a side for whom Kevin Phillips has now gone nine games without a goal.

Reid said: 'The players did really well in a difficult game against a side with so much quality and I thought we deserved a point.

'We have to lift ourselves. We have a couple of difficult games and we need the points as soon as we can get them. I don't hold the view that we are safe. I think we have to win a game and we are hopeful we will get that at Upton Park on Saturday.'

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