Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is convinced England can make a serious tilt at next year's World Cup.

The newly-crowned Football Writers' Player of the Year is being inspired by stories of Liverpool legend Roger Hunt.

England striker Hunt picked up a World Cup winners' medal in 1966 just weeks after the Reds had been crowned champions.

Now Gerrard would love to follow in the footsteps of a Kop hero. He said: "Roger was a fantastic player.

"It's a bit before my time but my dad has certainly made me aware of how good Roger was and if I can go on and emulate what he achieved in 1966 I'd be very happy.

"If we can repeat it in 2010 you will certainly see a happy Steven Gerrard come the end of the World Cup! It would be the best year of my career without a doubt.

"To win the league and then go on and win the World Cup, that's what dreams are made of.

"There's a lot of hard work and a lot of hurdles to get over before I can achieve that but that's the ambition and dream. I think it's possible."