It was Roy Hodsgon’s last meeting with an Italian club that might be the most telling when they face the Azurri on Sunday evening.
With Liverpool a goal down against Napoli in their Europa League Group Stage match, he made a decision that ultimately turned the game in the Reds favour.
With the start of the second half about to kick off, Steven Gerrard took to the field and put in a sumptuous performance, scoring a hat-trick, dominating the field of play and lead Liverpool to a 3-1 win.
The Kop have seen so many performances like that from Gerrard over the years that it is almost expected of the man, but what is so vitally important to England, is that he’s taken his club form on to the international stage.
With three assists in the European Championships already, Gerrard has been one of the stand out players of the tournament, getting plaudits from his Italian opponent Daniele de Rossi in the build up to Sunday’s clash.
‘Steven Gerrard has always been my idol. Since 10 years ago, he is among the best in the world.’ Said the Italian midfielder.
‘You see Gerrard defending and attacking here and there. I would like to be able to play more like that.’
The two men did not meet the last time Liverpool played Roma in the UEFA Cup in 2001, and failed to meet in England’s last meeting with Italy in 2002, where the Azurri won 2-1 courtesy of two goals from Vincenzo Montella at Elland Road.
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Italy have only lost once to England in 35 years, but there is cause for confidence in recent times, as English clubs have held the advantage over their European counterparts in club competitions.
Since Milan beat Manchester United in the Champions League semi-final in 2005, English clubs have had a renaissance against Italian clubs in the both of UEFA’s club competitions.
They have 29 wins to Italy’s 22 and 13 draws between each other, but when it has come to the crunch stage of those tournaments, there is only one stand out performer.
English teams hold a 17 to 7 record in the knock-out stages, which include games such as Liverpool’s victory in Istanbul and there victory over Inter Milan in 2008, Gerrard scoring in both of those respective games. Manchester United’s vintage 7-1 win against Roma in 2007 and Chelsea’s more recent victory this season against Napoli in extra time.
The players know what it takes to beat the Italians, the majority have done it, and the manager has to. Hodgson has the backing of the players and is getting the best out of his captain.
The both of them can combine to put in the performance required to get the result they need. The last time Hodgson and Gerrard combined against Italy it took them a half to mastermind victory. This time, they’ll have at least two.
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