Gerrard: Rivals should be afraid of England

(GSM) – England will learn their World Cup fate tomorrow and Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has warned the rest of the world to fear meeting Fabio Capello’s side in the finals in South Africa.

Named among the top seeds for Friday’s draw, England are in good position and could meet either France or Portugal in the group stage. Gerrard, however, is optimistic of England’s chances to lift the trophy this year saying his side can upset any team that comes against them and believes it’s time for the other sides in the competition to fear and respect the Three Lions.

“It can only be to our advantage. We can come against some tricky teams in that “pot four” but I think the way England are playing we have improved since Fabio Capello took charge,” says the talismanic skipper.

“I don’t think we can be afraid of anyone. We will certainly respect anyone we come up against. But for me, I think it’s time teams started fearing us. We are going there full of confidence and we are a very good team.

“We have got a lot to learn, but the way we are playing we are a match for most teams.”

“If you look at the last two games we’ve played against Brazil and Spain, they’ve beaten us so we realise they are going to be bigger favourites than us. But in those games there has not been much in it.”

Gerrard is set to make his 500th appearance for Liverpool against Blackburn this weekend, but he admitted the Reds’ chances of winning that elusive Premier League title are all but gone for another season – although he’s not giving up hope.

“We have to be realistic. At the moment we are out of the title race but we will try to get back in it. There is still a lot of football to be played so it is possible to turn it around. Chelsea are looking really strong at the moment. But our main target is to get back into the top four.”