Sven believes that the 23-year-old Liverpool captain has virtually all the key attributes any footballer could possibly hope to have.

The England coach said: "He's another player who is extremely important for us, you can't find another Steven Gerrard in England, maybe nowhere."

Gerrard's importance to the Liverpool cause has been well documented, as England's unbeaten record whenever he has played for the Three Lions.

Sven continued: "He has everything as a midfielder, he can defend, he's very aggressive, his tackling is famous, it's not easy to play against him, and then he can play football.

"His passing, his shooting, his runs in the deep are fantastic. He has everything as a football player.

"When he plays for England he's never lost, and I think that says everything. He's very, very important for us."