The 26-year-old has been hugely successful doing as he pleases at his club side but has had more restrictions placed on him by England, with Eriksson traditionally favouring two strikers up front.

Michael Owen's injury, though, forced Eriksson to play 4-5-1 in their last match against Ecuador and Gerrard hopes it stays that way.

"That suits me down to the ground, it's a lot closer to the role I play at Liverpool so if the manager decides to go 4-5-1 it suits me," he said ahead of England's quarter-final clash with Portugal here on Saturday.

"It gives two midfielders the freedom to attack, and you've got a holding role midfielder to do most of the defending duties.

"I know people talk about that formation as a 4-5-1 but it almost becomes a 4-4-3 if you like, and you have more options out wide. I quite enjoy that formation."

Gerrard could get his wish with Eriksson expected to retain Wayne Rooney as his sole striker and move Owen Hargreaves into the holding role with a fit Gary Neville regaining his place at right back.

That would give Gerrard and Frank Lampard more licence to roam and score the goals that they consistently do for their clubs.

With Rooney straining at the leash after his comeback from injury, Gerrard is tipping the Manchester United forward to do something special on Saturday.

"I think he's going to put a really big performance in for us and I think he could be hopefully our key man," he said.

"He's such a fantastic player and I know he's still hurting from two years ago having to go off injured, and also going out of the competition in the last eight, so I am sure Wayne wants to put in a big performance."

Rooney went off injured in England's Euro 2004 quarter-final against Portgual, and they eventually lost on penalties.

"I believe the injury to Wayne Rooney was the turning point. Up till then we were matching them and doing okay," said Gerrard of that match two years ago.

For Gerrard, the game on Saturday will be more about just losing to Portugal in 2004. Liverpool were also knocked out of the Champions League last season by a Portuguese side, Benfica, and he would love to pay them back.

"I've had some bad experiences against Portuguese opposition over the last four years - obviously two years ago in the Euros and recently going out to Benfica in the Champions League. So it would be nice to get one over them," he said.

To do that, England must close Luis Figo out of the game or pay the price, he added.

"I think it is vital we stop Figo playing. If you give him time and space he will crucify you and he'll win the game for Portugal single handedly."