Steven Gerrard was only on the pitch for 25 minutes but his impact could be so far-reaching that Kevin Keegan may now not want to go into a match without him.

Replacing Michael Owen to stiffen England's midfield against the predictable German onslaught that followed Alan Shearer's goal, Gerrard did more than just put his foot in.

He made the kind of tackles that confirmed he has the potential to become not only a useful addition to the side in a crisis but a permanent fixture.

Gerrard represents the face of new England and is one player Keegan will build his World Cup challenge around next season.

Tall and nerveless, he slipped into this confrontational and physical match very much to the manor born. Not only did he win vital possession but he played with an assurance that suggests he is ready to claim a place against Romania should Keegan want to tinker with his line-up.

Dieter Hamann, his Liverpool team-mate, believes Gerrard can do better than that. He said: 'One day he will not only play regularly for England but he will also captain the side. He is a boy who has everything a good midfield player needs - strength, pace, courage and good running.'

More importantly, Gerrard is becoming increasingly valued by Keegan, who said: 'Steve produced a cameo performance of what the future of English football is all about.'

Among Gerrard's many qualities is that he can win the ball without conceding free kicks, he takes it cleanly and distributes it neatly and efficiently. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is also a Gerrard fan and believes Keegan should keep him in the side.

'Gerrard should have a part in the team. If you brought him on and gave him a job, his head would come up and he would do the right thing,' said the Old Trafford boss, although he added: 'People are already comparing him to Roy Keane but I reserve my judgment on that one.

'I'd hate to think Liverpool have somebody as good as Keane.'

Gerrard was clearly unfazed by the expectation surrounding the build-up to the match. Even when in the England hotel before the game his mood was one of 'let's get them'.

He said: 'A few of the lads in the hotel before the game were talking about how it was about time we beat them. There was a television programme on about 1996 and Paul Ince and Tony Adams were getting passionate about it.

'They wanted to beat Germany so it was great experience to be part of it. I was a little nervous sitting on the bench watching the match and I didn't notice Kevin Keegan telling me to get stripped.

'My heart started beating much faster. "Yes you, come onî, he said. Then all I wanted was to get on, get my first touch and settle. It was a brilliant experience to get my second cap in a game like that and the greatest moment of my career, just ahead of my debut for Liverpool.'