Steven Gerrard is hoping team-mate Andy Carroll will take his end-of-season form with Liverpool into Euro 2012 with England.
Liverpool striker pushing to start England's Euro 2012 opener
Steven Gerrard is hoping team-mate Andy Carroll will take his end-of-season form with Liverpool into Euro 2012 with England.
Carroll has taken time to make an impact at Liverpool since joining from Newcastle United for £35million in January 2011, but enjoyed a positive end to the domestic campaign.
He scored in the FA Cup semi-final win over Everton and the final defeat by Chelsea, and his form earned the striker a place in England's 23-man squad for the European Championship.
The 23-year-old is now fighting to spearhead England's attack for the opening two group games of the tournament due to Wayne Rooney's suspension.
Carroll started last month's friendly win over Norway, but was an unused substitute for last weekend's 1-0 success over Belgium, which was secured thanks to Danny Welbeck's goal.
England coach Roy Hodgson is expected to start with either Carroll or Welbeck in Monday's first match against France and captain Gerrard is keen for his club colleague to grasp his chance.
"Domestically Andy probably didn't want the season to end, because he hit top form and became unplayable for us in those final games," said Gerrard in the
Daily Star.
"Everyone is focused here now on England and the whole country, myself included, will be hoping that Andy can bring his form from Liverpool into the international set-up."
