Pepe Our New Captain ?

[Kenneth]

Can't take it off Gerrard, but if he leaves, Pepe would certainly be the lead candidate. I just don't see GKs making good captains on the pitch though. Would need other players with leadership qualities for it to work, which an aging Carra aside, we don't have.

[Matt]

Is it just me or is anybody else pissed off at the ****ing deafening silence coming from our Club Captain,in light of recent events. As usual Pepe showing why he is a ****ing shoe in for next Captain of Liverpool, Bloody shameful. I have had time to digest this information, and returning to my usual positive demeanor, I suppose in a way its almost like signing a brand new squad when you bring in a new manager. That said, I will not support this football club one moment longer if the current Owners are in charge and I am committed to that decision. I will also try and take as many people with me through social media and viral marketing.... the cunts !

Pepe is boss

[EwarWoo]

Carra as been captain in all but name for a while. Love Pepe but if Gerrard was to lose it Carra certainly deserves it.

[Kenneth]

Carra as been captain in all but name for a while. Love Pepe but if Gerrard was to lose it Carra certainly deserves it.

But he's not an appointment for the long term. Think he'll play less games next year and less after that.

[EwarWoo]

Maybe so, but even if it's only for 1 season, no-one deserves it more. He is LFC

[Rigadon]

Steven Gerrard has admitted time is running out for England's senior stars to make their mark on the world stage.

Gerrard, 30 at the end of May, is one of several England players in the latter stages of their careers heading to the World Cup in South Africa.

"The feeling this is our last World Cup has got to be the attitude going into it," said the Liverpool midfielder.

"It could be my last chance to win a World Cup, or even shine at one, so you want to give it everything you've got."

Skipper Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard have already passed their 30th birthdays, with John Terry and Ashley Cole not far behind.

Speaking at England's training camp in Austria, Gerrard added: "Thirty is an age where you do consider what you have achieved internationally.

We still have to improve a bit if we are to be successful at the World Cup

Steven Gerrard
"You don't want to step out of this level of football without doing something.

"There is an excitement in this squad and a determination. After the setback of not qualifying for Euro 2008 we feel as though we owe it to the nation to deliver this time around.

"There is a good mix of young talented players and experienced old heads, who have been there and done it at club level.

"Hopefully that will hold us in good stead for what is to come."

Gerrard also admitted that England have underachieved, particularly at the 2006 World Cup, but stated: "Our players are more mature now. We are at that age where players are peaking.

"Everyone around the world knows England have the tools in their armoury to do well. The challenge is to prove it.

"It is easy to say we are one of the favourites. The difficult thing is getting out of the group, then the last 16 and the last eight.

"There is a mental situation with this team in the last couple of tournaments where we have failed to get past the last eight.

"If we get past the last eight then the show is going to start."

606: DEBATE
I'm curious to know... do England fans genuinely believe they can win the World Cup?

The HotHead
Gerrard has vowed that his focus will be only on England during the World Cup and not on his Liverpool future after the club's disappointing season.

He goes into the finals in South Africa amid speculation about his Anfield career, just as he did four years ago at Germany 2006.

"Yes, I was distracted then. I was going back to my hotel room and driving myself mad," he admitted.

"This time round I won't make the same mistake. I guarantee everyone my focus is on doing well for England.

"I am here with England, training has started, and I think it is important to park club issues and focus on the job in hand for England.

"If people want to speculate about my future, that's up to them. I cannot control that, I can only control what I am thinking myself.

"What is important to me now is the World Cup and focusing only on the World Cup.

And Gerrard indicated that England's preparations in Austria are going according to plan.

"I am fine and training with no problems. I' m not really noticing much difference with the altitude," he continued.

"Training has been very intense, very sharp. The boys are excited and spirits are high and we need to keep that going."

As for their chances of winning the World Cup, Gerrard believes England coach Fabio Capello is creating the right environment for success.

"Fabio has been here for a couple of years so we have had time to get used to his ideas and know what he wants," added Gerrard.

"There is still a bit more time to prepare and make sure we are all ready for the tournament.

"The manager has a winning mentality and slowly he has instilled that into the players. During qualifying we played well, but we still have to improve a bit if we are to be successful at the World Cup."

England return from Austria for a friendly against Mexico at Wembley on Monday.

They will then head back to their training base at Irdning two days later before playing their final pre-World Cup friendly against Japan in nearby Graz on 30 May.

England open their World Cup campaign on 12 June against USA.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...10/8698616.stm

This is for the fickle fans and those with short memories

[Kinell]

22nd of May that! It would be impossible for him surely to put the managerial issue aside and I wouldn't be surprised if he's been in contact with the club and a few others at home.

[spanky]

Carra for captain with pepe numer 2. Stevie is an inspirational player but not a natural leader.

[jono]

We've got one of the best strikers in the world, if not the best. Same goes for midfielder and keeper. While there is constant speculation revolving around Torres and Gerrard nothing is said about Pepe. The reason being is that there is no doubt as to his love for the club and what's best for it.

[Charly]

Whats Gerrard meant to say?

"I glad he is gone, 'cause he was ****ing everything up on the pitch", because I am pretty sure thats what he was thinking.

I am almost certain the reason Benitez is gone is because Torres and Gerrard said they wouldnt stay if Benitez did.

[spanky]

So the players know best?

[TheElephantMan]

Gerrard may be the official club captain, but he isn't really. Carragher is the leader on the pitch. When JC retires or becomes a peripheral figure then Reina would be the best candidate for the captaincy.

[Reece]

Whats Gerrard meant to say?

"I glad he is gone, 'cause he was ****ing everything up on the pitch", because I am pretty sure thats what he was thinking.

I am almost certain the reason Benitez is gone is because Torres and Gerrard said they wouldnt stay if Benitez did.

Why are you almost certain? There are conflicting reports in that respect - here is one example from the Independent:

"The departure of Rafael Benitez as Liverpool manager yesterday raised fears that that an exodus would follow, led by Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard, Javier Mascherano and Pepe Reina, according to sources inside the club.

The end of Benitez's six-year tenure, which was confirmed at around 3.45pm, has been greeted with dismay by the Liverpool squad and a well-placed source has confirmed that he is unlikely to be the only person leaving Merseyside this summer.

Although the Liverpool dressing room was anything but satisfied with last season's seventh-place finish in the Premier League, talk of dressing-room unrest is relatively wide of the mark. Benitez may have maintained a professional rather than paternal relationship with his players, but he was widely liked by his squad.

Related articles
The loss of any of the four names mentioned above would be little short of catastrophic for Liverpool, whose chronic lack of strength in depth was a leading cause of last season's failings and Benitez's subsequent downfall.

Although Reina has only recently signed a six-year contract, he is thought to be furious at the developments, while Mascherano and Torres are equally concerned, not just about Benitez's exit but also by the lack of funds available to strengthen the squad. It is the combination of those two issues that is thought to lie behind the belief that they could be on their way."

[Tatterdemalion]

what is 'viral marketing'? It sounds like something I won't like.

[Jaymo]

Pepe for captain, been saying it for ages!