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Gerrard could fill the Beckham role

With one touch and a deadly finish, Michael Owen dispersed in an instant any gloom hanging over Sven Goran Eriksson, England and Liverpool.

But it was the instinctive, inch-perfect pass which helped Liverpool to a vital victory over Sunderland which will have really given England coach Eriksson the greatest relief.

It was delivered with typical accuracy by Steven Gerrard, playing on the right of midfield, a role which so desperately needs filling this week, and perhaps in June.

So impressive was Gerrard's performance in a win which keeps Liverpool in touch with Arsenal, that Chris Waddle, one of the most gifted wide men to play for England, is convinced the Liverpool midfielder is David Beckham's obvious replacement if he fails to recover from injury before the start of the World Cup.

Waddle said: 'Gerrard can play anywhere, which is how it should be. If you asked any member of the French squad to play in any position, they could do it. Thierry Henry would do a job at full back if he was asked and that's what you expect from quality players.

'I think you'll see Steven playing at centre back regularly before he ends his career but I watched him on the right here and think he could fill the role in place of David Beckham.'

And Waddle is equally confident that Nicky Butt could provide cover if Gerrard is asked to step to the right from his preferred role alongside Butt's Manchester United team-mate Paul Scholes.