Steven Gerrard believes Andy Carroll's recent fine form for Liverpool has made him an obvious candidate for a place in England's Euro 2012 squad.
Reds skipper backing team-mate to grace Euro 2012
Steven Gerrard believes Andy Carroll's recent fine form for Liverpool has made him an obvious candidate for a place in England's Euro 2012 squad.
Carroll has struggled at times to handle the weight of expectation that comes with representing a team of Liverpool's stature, while attempting to justify a £35million price tag.
He has, however, shown promise of late, with a number of eye-catching displays suggesting he has finally found his feet and is ready to repay the Reds' considerable faith in his ability.
Those in and around Anfield never doubted that Carroll would come good, with the 23-year-old blessed with all the attributes a top-class centre-forward requires.
They are hoping they will benefit from his talents for many years to come, and Gerrard feels England will also come calling this summer as they piece together their plans for a shot at European Championship glory.
Threat
After seeing Carroll step off the bench and come close to hauling Liverpool back into their FA Cup final tie with Chelsea on Saturday, Gerrard said: "Credit to Andy who came on and played brilliantly well.
"He changed the way we played. We were a lot better with him in the team, we were a lot more direct, we created more, we were more of a threat.
"I think his form the last two or three months has been fantastic and he is certainly pushing for a place back in the England squad in my opinion."
Carroll, who was introduced after 55 minutes at Wembley, scored one and came agonisingly close to overturning Chelsea's two-goal lead.
He saw a late header clawed away by Blues keeper Petr Cech, with the debate as to whether the whole of the ball crossed the line still raging on Merseyside.
"It is difficult for officials to give decisions like that," admitted Gerrard.
Technology
"There is an argument that maybe it is [over the line] on the computer image but when you look at the replay...
"Phil Dowd is standing by me and the linesman is 40 yards away - it is impossible to give a yes or a no on it.
"We have been debating technology for years and it will continue until it comes in. The officials need a bit of help.
"It was a final and there were 90,000 people there. I am not 100 per cent sure whether it was or it wasn't but there is certainly an argument there.
"Until the technology comes in we will continue to have these conversations after games."
