Steven Gerrard admits it will be a 'terrible summer' if England fail against Uruguay in their vital World Cup clash

Steven Gerrard has admitted there will be nowhere to hide if England crash out of the World Cup after only two games.

Roy Hodgson’s team will be eliminated if they are beaten by Uruguay on Thursday night and Costa Rica draw with Italy in Recife on Friday. The game could come down to a shoot-out between strikers Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez — team-mates at Liverpool, but deadly rivals this evening.

England captain Gerrard said: ‘It could be a terrible, long, frustrating summer if we don’t get it right.

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Warming up: Steven Gerrard (centre) stretches as England take part in their final training session before facing Uruguay

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Honest: Gerrard (left), pictured here challenging James Milner, admits this summer will be 'terrible' if England fail to get a result against Uruguay

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Ready for action: England captain Gerrard arrives at the team hotel after touching down in Sao Paulo

Steven Gerrard: Expect another attacking performance

 

‘You go home earlier than you expect and it can be tough as a player. It can take an awful long time to get over it.

'The lads still have that confidence and belief. I haven’t seen any negativity or anyone lacking any belief since the Italy game. I just sensed a bit of frustration the day after, but we put it to bed reasonably quickly.

'We held a meeting and it wasn’t to scare anyone or intimidate anyone but that is the reality of where we are. We need everyone focused and right on it to perform individually and collectively.

‘The mood has come back to the way it was before the Italy game, which is important. We have a must-win scenario.

‘It was important for a few young lads to know what’s at stake and how important this game is. We all need to leave everything on that pitch.’

Gerrard will put his friendship with Liverpool team-mate Luis Suarez to one side before Thursday night's clash.

Gerrard added: ‘I will say hello and shake his hand but at that moment I am not looking for friends. He knows once that whistle blows there is no friendship between us for 90 minutes.

‘Of course we have had banter up to this point. It has to remain private, but he is a very confident guy. He plays in our country and this match means an awful lot to him and he is desperate to win it.’

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Danger man: Uruguay forward Luis Suarez, pictured in training on Wednesday, is fit to face England

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Finding his feet: Suarez is set for his first piece of action since undergoing a knee operation last month

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Friends reunited: Gerrard, pictured here consoling Suarez for Liverpool, says he will ignore his friendship with the Uruguayan on Thursday night

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Centre of attention: Uruguay fell to a surprise 3-1 defeat to Costa Rica without Suarez (centre) on Saturday