Gerrard ready for next challenge

Gerrard celebrates scoring against Germany

Steven Gerrard is warning against complacency ahead of England's World Cup qualifier against Albania.

Emotions are running high after England's stunning 5-1 victory over Germany on Saturday.

But Liverpool midfielder Gerrard knows it is vital Sven Goran Eriksson's team re-focus and are mentally prepared for Wednesday's match.

He said: "We cannot afford to underestimate Albania because if we slip up on Wednesday this result against Germany will mean nothing.

"It's important we go into that game (at St James' Park, Newcastle) with exactly the same sort of attitude."

We are a young side and if we keep progressing and learning, then it can get even better

Steven Gerrard

Gerrard is confident England can reproduce the form that inflicted one of Germany's worst ever defeats.

He said: "We do not fear anyone.

"If we play to our best, we can beat anyone with this team. We can even beat the best teams in the world. Definitely.

"If we keep playing like that we've got a great chance of going to the World Cup Finals and doing well.

"Can we win the World Cup? Who knows? All I know is not many teams will beat us if we continue to perform like that."

England have never lost a match with Gerrard in the starting line-up.

And the Anfield midfield maestro capped another outstanding display with a superb volley to open his goal account in style.

He said: "I had dreamed of scoring against Germany.

"In the build up there is a lot of time to think about things and I wondered what it would feel like to score against them.

"When it happened I felt like running into the crowd. I was so elated. Rio Ferdinand set it up beautifully and it crept into the corner of the net."

Albania, bottom of Group Nine, arrive in England on Monday having lost 2-0 at home to Finland on Saturday.

England won 3-1 when they played in Tirana.