Don't miss the big Liverpool FC stories by getting our newsletter Sign me up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

*Get the latest LFC updates on Facebook - click here and like our Reds page

STEVEN GERRARD is ready to operate at his rampaging best for Liverpool FC this season as the skipper dismissed suggestions he needs to reinvent himself as a defensive midfielder.

The 32-year-old excelled in a deeper role for England at Euro 2012 this summer but insists he can still produce the attacking masterclasses which have lit up Anfield over the past 14 years.

After the injuries of the past two seasons, Gerrard is fighting fit ahead of tomorrow's Premier League opener at West Brom and determined to take advantage of being given a licence to thrill by boss Brendan Rodgers.

“The manager has spoken to me about what role he sees me filling and I still think he sees me as an attacking midfielder,” said Gerrard.

“As we work through the ages, maybe 33 or 34, then maybe I might be dropping a bit deeper, but I don't think anything is going to change in my game this season.

“I still think I can play a dynamic energy-type game. I'm prepared to adapt and I'll do whatever the manager wants, but I can still play the same way.

“Yeah, I had major surgery on my groin and I had a big operation on my ankle through bad luck, but they're gone. My groins now are better than they were from the age of 21 to 30.

“I think people want me to say I can't play the same way any more, that I have to go deeper to control the game from deep and play a slower game, but believe me, it's not happening, not yet.”

Gerrard's confidence is backed up by science with the training data proving he's going into the 2012/13 campaign in great shape.

More from Stevie on the next page >>>

He added: “I've got (head of fitness and conditioning) Darren Burgess and the other staff who collect figures every day. They measure my heart-rate, the amount of running you do, high tempo, low tempo.

“They haven't come to me yet and said 'listen, I don't think you can play the way you've been playing for the last 10 years'. They will do that one day. They'll come to me and say 'you might need to adapt your game', but it hasn't come to that yet.

“I know I'm not going to be bombing forward every few seconds without a care of what's happening behind me. Of course I have to play with my brain and pick the right time to go. I appreciate I'm no spring chicken, but I don't think I have to say I'm ready to play a different position.

“My figures in the Euros were as good as any player there, so I don't need to say I have to play a different role - that I'm thinking of a Paul Scholes role.

“He is five years older than me! I'm not thinking about five years time. I might not want to play in five years. I'm not looking that far ahead.

“I'll play while I'm enjoying it and feel I can have a big impact. If in a couple of years time I don't think I can be the player I want to be then maybe it's time to stop.

I'll play the Scholes role when I feel it's time. I can play that role no problem. I played it when I was 21, but it's not time yet.”

Despite the stunning list of achievements during his illustrious Liverpool career, Gerrard insists he still has to prove himself to Rodgers.

The inspirational captain is hungry for more success and determined to ensure a new era for the club gets off to a flying start.

“As a player, the mentality you have to have when a new manager comes in is that you are starting again,” said Gerrard.

“You can’t use what you have done in the past. I have got to make sure that I play well this season.

“I’ve had half of the previous two seasons and it's been frustrating because of the injuries. I want to take my form from the Euros into this season. That is my plan.

“For the other players, they have got to prove it every day. I think every day you have got a chance to show the manager that you should be in his starting line-up.

“Even though I am 32 and I have done what I have done, I still try and impress the manager every day.”