The Everton centre-back is expecting competition for places in Roy Hodgson’s side ahead of World Cup 2014 and believes that only the captain’s spot in the team is secure

Everton defender Phil Jagielka believes that an ageing Steven Gerrard can adapt his game to become England’s Andrea Pirlo ahead of World Cup 2014.

The England and Liverpool captain, who missed the end of the Premier League season after having shoulder surgery, will be 34 by the time of the tournament in Brazil next year.

And Jagielka expects Gerrard to abandon his all-action midfield displays and adopt an approach reminiscent of the Italy stalwart, who has enjoyed success for club and country since moving to Juventus in 2011.

“There’s tough competition for places in pretty much all positions,” he told reporters. “There isn’t anyone who has it nailed down, apart from possibly Stevie but it’s a big year for him as well.

“He’s getting that bit older and I see him changing his game for England a bit. He’s still got the range of passing. Pirlo doesn’t move around much but still gets in and makes things happen. If Stevie does that and doesn’t run around as much – with his range of passing – that could make us stronger.”

England face the Republic of Ireland in a friendly on Wednesday before making the trip to Rio to face Brazil just four days later.

Jagielka thinks that it is anybody’s guess as to who could be in the side for both games, ahead of the resumption of their World Cup qualifying campaign.

“I wouldn’t like to put money on who will be in the starting XI,” he added. “Look at the centre-backs we have – and even the full-backs aren’t guaranteed these days. I look at that as a positive.”

The 28-year-old admits that, though he has yet to receive any offers from other clubs, he would think about leaving the club if Brendan Rodgers deems it necessary

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel admits he would strongly consider a move away from Anfield if the right offer came in this summer.

The centre-back has been out of favour with manager Brendan Rodgers since the turn of the year, having made just four Premier League starts in 2013, with the now-retired Jamie Carragher preferred alongside Daniel Agger in the centre of defence.

The Slovakian international signed a new contract only last summer but appears ready to move on, though he also made it clear that he has yet to receive any specific offers.

“I have not had any specific offers. But if some should come and they interest me, I would probably ponder it seriously,” he told Slovakian newspaper Dennik Sport.

“The club has the biggest say in this in any case, because they have the right for it with me being contracted.”

Skrtel moved to Liverpool from Zenit St. Petersburg in 2008 and has since amassed 206 appearances for the Merseyside club – a stay that he insists he is in no great hurry to end.

“I do not want to be that specific, I am not saying that I want to leave at any cost,” he continued.

“I feel sorry for what happened in this season. But I have been here for five-and-a-half years and I have built a position here.”

The retired defender believes that Jurgen Klopp’s side can capitalise on Bayern Munich’s expectations, using the Reds’ Champions League final in Istanbul as their inspiration

Jamie Carragher believes that Borussia Dortmund could emulate Liverpool’s Champions League success from 2005 by winning the trophy as underdogs.

The former Liverpool defender helped his side claw their way back from a 3-0 half-time deficit against Milan eight years ago to lift the trophy after winning a penalty shoot-out, and Carragher believes that the underdogs could also be crowned European Champions on Saturday evening.

He wrote in his Daily Mail column: “This could be one of the closest finals we have seen in recent years and Dortmund are not the 7-2 shots that bookmakers suggest. If anything, Bayern will be the more apprehensive of the two sides. They, after all, have everything to lose. Dortmund have it all to gain.

“Dortmund are in a similar position to the one we experienced with Liverpool on this day exactly eight years ago. Nobody gave us a chance of beating AC Milan in Istanbul, so that meant we could enjoy the occasion. Winning the biggest trophy in club football went beyond our wildest dreams.

“Bayern, in contrast, will in some ways be dreading this match as the pressure on them is immense.

“Bayern Munich are THE club in Germany and to lose the prize they crave most to a team from their own country would be a savage blow to their esteem.”