Germany deserved win, says Gerrard

Captain Steven Gerrard said Germany deserved to beat arch-rivals England despite a disallowed Frank Lampard goal that he said would have changed the course of the World Cup last 16 match.

England were trailing 2-1 when a shot from Lampard cannoned down off Manuel Neuer’s crossbar and over the line just before the interval, but it was missed by Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda and Germany went on to win 4-1.

But Gerrard refused to make excuses.

“I you look at the game as a whole we were beaten by the better team,” said the Liverpool star.

“At 2-1, if Frank’s goal would have stayed it would have been a nice turning point in the game but I don’t think we can use that as an excuse as a whole.

“The have scored four goals, we’ve only got one.”

Gerrard said England were sloppy and praised the finishing of the Germans.

“I think we made too many mistakes as a team. Germany were more organised than us. They were clinical.

“I think they got in maybe five, six times and scored four goals so we’ve got to give them credit.

“Germany were the better team over the 90 minutes but, even at 2-0, 2-1, I was still confident that we could go on and win the game but the third goal was the killer.”

The captain called on FIFA to look into goal-line technology after the refereeing howler.

“FIFA will have to look at that because I looked across at the linesman and he was by the edge of the area so how can he see if that’s over the line or not,” he said.

But he added: “For me to just stand here and say that one moment is the reason why we got beat today would be a lie.”

Gerrard said the team was devastated by the loss.

“I think right now obviously everyone in the dressing room is hurting,” he said.

“It’s very disappointing to go out at this stage because before the game and even during the game I had big confidence that we could progress,” he added, refusing to single out individuals for blame.

And he said he wanted coach Fabio Capello to stay on as England boss.

“I’m sure either tonight or in the morning he’ll watch the game and he’ll speak to us when he’s got more time. He was only in the dressing room very briefly but you can see on his face he’s hurting like the rest of us,” he said.

“Personally I’d like him to stay because I think he’s a fantastic manager,” Gerrard added.