"It feels good to turn that reaction around. The fans were great during the Argentina game and they were always going to be good to me at Anfield," said the Liverpool striker.
"The Liverpool fans have been great since I came to the club. It is great to score my first goal for England and even more special to do it at Anfield.
"The manager has never doubted me. Maybe other people did but he had every confidence in me and proved it by picking me for squads. I have a lot to thank him for.
"I feel I belong in that dressing room. I would not be here if I did not believe I was good enough.
"If I perform well for my club I can look forward to the World Cup like everyone else in that dressing room.
"You always want to start games but I am realistic. Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney are top-class players and they're going to start ahead of me.
"If I can play some role, it is great. It worked out well against Uruguay. I came off the bench and scored and we won the game.
"I want to be part of the England set-up and, if that's my role, that's fine."