Gerrard pays the price for versatility

Last updated : 08 September 2008 By Adam Bryant

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard believes hat his recent poor form is down to his willingness to play anywhere in the midfield rather than focus on his preferred central role.

"I've paid the price for being able to do a decent job in other positions," he admitted. "Other players don't get shunted around because they can't do it. I can't go and play on the right or the left and become Kaka or Robinho, I just go out there, give 100 per cent and do a steady job.

"I'll work hard, do my bit defensively and help the team. That's why managers do it to me, but it is affecting me. My game suffers when my position is changed. I'm a central midfielder and in the big games I want to play in the middle and show that I'm one of the very best in that position.

"I've played in my favourite position for England five times in 68 games. Every England manager I've worked under knows where I want to play, but they pick the formations and I play where I'm told."