England

Steven Gerrard: 'I can't be compared'

By Matt Cotton, Reporter | 14 November 2012

Steven Gerrard says that he cannot be compared to World Cup-winning members of the England 100 cup ahead of earning a century of international caps.

England captain Steven Gerrard believes that it is unfair to compare him to players who have reached 100 caps for his country in the past.

The Liverpool skipper is expected to make it a century of international appearances on Wednesday when England face Sweden in Stockholm.

While Gerrard is flattered to be reaching the landmark, the 32-year-old feels that he cannot be compared to other members of the 100 club.

"I can't compare myself to a few of the people who have reached 100 caps because they are World Cup winners. It would be disrespectful to do that," said Gerrard. "It is just very flattering for me to get over the 100 mark and join the other five players who have all been top players in their eras.

"I played with one of them in David Beckham, whom I look up to, and enjoyed a lot of games with. People mention David Beckham's record and overtaking it but it is not really important to me if I beat David's record or not.

"My main focus and priority is to get this team to qualify for the next big tournament."

Gerrard will become the sixth Englishman to reach the 100-cap landmark after Billy Wright, Bobby Moore, Bobby Charlton, Peter Shilton and David Beckham.