Happy Gerrard wants to sign for life

Steven Gerrard revealed he is happier now than at any other stage of his career and is ready to sign a new contract.

The Reds skipper is looking to cap an amazing fortnight by helping England overcome Slovakia in a friendly at Wembley on Saturday before the crucial World Cup qualifier against the Ukraine on April 1 as Fabio Capello's team look to maintain their 100% start to Group Six.

He could hardly be in a more confident mood.

Having helped dump Real Madrid out of the Champions League, beaten Manchester United at Old Trafford and score a hat-trick in the five-goal hammering of Aston Villa on Sunday, Gerrard suddenly finds himself leading a team with realistic ambitions of winning the Barclays Premier League.

It is a far cry from the dark days when it seemed Liverpool would never threaten at the top end of the table and joining Chelsea looked like a far more attractive option.

"I have never been happier throughout my whole career than I am at the moment," Gerrard said.

"I have two years left on my contract and if there was a chance to extend it, I am sure I would.

"I am playing in a top team, with world-class players and I believe in the manager. Going forward, I am sure we can be successful."

The relationship with Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is the pivotal factor.

There was a time when Gerrard just did not understand the Spaniard. Played out of position on the right side of midfield in a team that lacked direction and drive, it was not so much a meeting of minds but a pair of heads hammering against different sides of the same brick wall.

Gerrard accepts there was an element of immaturity on his part.

"Maybe when I was a bit selfish when I was younger," he reflected.

"I used to think of myself a bit too much when he was playing me out of position.

"I should have taken a deep breath and realised it was for the team.

"But, at the moment, he is playing me in my favourite position, I am captain and we are winning. Our relationship has got stronger as time has gone by.

"For years and years I have moaned about not being involved in a title race and being far away from the others.

"At the moment, I am playing in a team that's capable of beating anyone in the league."

Yet Gerrard's exceptional recent form has just brought more discussion with England about his best position.

The subject of his apparent inability to play alongside Frank Lampard in the same central midfield engine room became tiresome for Gerrard a long time ago.

But it is an inescapable fact that the 28-year-old's current explosion of form has come as a second striker, operating behind Fernando Torres, rather than in the deeper role he is more usually associated with.

"I am loving it, which is why you are seeing the best of me," said Gerrard.

"I would love nothing better than to be given the chance to play there for England to try to find that form."

Such a move by Capello would come at a cost to Wayne Rooney, who has previously been thought of as an automatic choice in the deeper attacking slot.

"Wayne Rooney can play anywhere," was Gerrard's instant reaction when the potential problem was pointed out.

As Gerrard, David Beckham and Emile Heskey played little part in training today and Peter Crouch was sent for a precautionary scan on a calf injury, it is highly possible Capello will be spared the task of solving the puzzling dilemma on Saturday.

In Belarus last October, Capello chose to start with Gerrard on the left, where Rooney has been slotted in by Sir Alex Ferguson over the years.

It is a non-position in a sense, as the occupant is given licence to roam.

"The manager has explained clearly that he doesn't want me as an out-and-out left winger," said Gerrard.

"He wants me to be free and to go into places where I can cause problems for defenders. It's only a starting position and I do feel I can be dangerous there."

Gerrard is keen to transfer his club form to England as, if Liverpool do go on to end their 19-year league championship drought in May, his international ambitions would be the ones with the biggest gap to fill.

"I am desperate to win something with England," he said.

"When we have been knocked out of tournaments, the hurt and pain is exactly the same as when you don't achieve something with your club.

"The challenge now is to get qualification sorted and then go into the tournament full of confidence.

"Winning trophies as a football player is what it's all about.

"I'm sure this country would be an unbelievable place to be if we were to achieve something."