Gerrard’s eyes on the prize (30.03.07) 四月 5, 2007
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Gerrard’s eyes on the prize (30.03.07)
These are exciting times for Liverpool Football Club. Saturday’s visit of Arsenal FC will see Americans George Gillett and Tom Hicks take their seats at Anfield for the first time as club owners, following the completion of their takeover this week. Then, on Tuesday, Rafael Benítez’s team will resume their quest for a second European crown in three seasons away at PSV Eindhoven.
Confidence
Having dethroned FC Barcelona in the last round, Liverpool have every cause for confidence going into their UEFA Champions League quarter-final against a PSV team they have already bettered over two matches once this season, in the group stage. Yet according to captain Steven Gerrard, this would be the case whoever stood in their way. “I think the confidence and the lift it’s given us, knocking out the champions, means we don’t fear anyone now going forward,” he told uefa.com. “We’re a really difficult side to play against and we don’t fear anyone over two legs.” Liverpool may still be few people’s favourites to win the competition but it is hard to think of a side better adept at rising to the occasion on UEFA Champions League nights.
Never say die
Gerrard cites the “never-say-die attitude” that epitomised their unforgettable fightback against AC Milan in the 2005 final. “This team that Rafa’s built never knows when it is beaten. If we’re a goal down or a couple of goals down we never give in until the final whistle.” Yet if Gerrard has so often proved Liverpool’s inspiration, he recognises it is Benítez who provides the vital intelligence. The former Valencia CF manager outwitted some of Europe’s top coaches on Liverpool’s unlikely path to glory in Istanbul and repeated the trick against Barcelona’s Frank Rijkaard. “Unique,” is how Gerrard describes him. “Benítez is a manager that eats, breathes, sleeps football. He is 24/7. He loves the game, he is always trying to improve himself and he’s always trying to improve every player. I’ve got total belief and confidence he can continue to take us forward and bring success to this football club.”
Hunger
Gerrard’s relationship with Benítez has come under scrutiny in the past, and in his autobiography the England midfielder writes that the Spaniard, unlike predecessor Gérard Houllier, “doesn’t think he needs close bonds with players”. Such is Benítez’s perfectionism, Gerrard recounts, that after his match-winning, two-goal performance in last season’s FA Cup final, the boss approached him to discuss the negative aspects of Liverpool’s display, and remind him, with a smile, that he had fallen three short of his season’s target of 25 goals. Yet this natural-born winner knows he and Benítez share the same hunger for success. “It’s come a long way since Istanbul. Rafa’s made some clever signings to strengthen the squad but we know we can still get better,” he said of the Reds’ progress under the Spaniard. “I think the future is looking bright for the football club. Rafa’s gone on record saying that if there’s a signing he thinks will strengthen the team, then he will probably make it.
‘Strong’
“Everyone is aware of what is happening off the pitch at Liverpool. If the people above Rafa give him the backing and the support he can make us strong.” Anfield’s new owners recognise as much and last week moved to reassure Benítez about their ambitions for the club, silencing in the process rumours linking him with Real Madrid CF, his alma mater. If the UEFA Champions League is Liverpool’s sole remaining hope of silverware this term, Gerrard believes the aim for 2007/08 must be a long-overdue challenge for the Premiership. You have to go back to 1990 for the last of Liverpool’s 18 league titles and they currently trail leaders Manchester United FC by 21 points. It is worth noting that while Benítez’s win ratio in the UEFA Champions League is 60 per cent, in the Premiership it is a less impressive 54.7 per cent.
‘Frustrating’
Small wonder Gerrard is frustrated. “Since I’ve been in the team, we’ve been a fantastic cup side. The next challenge is to improve domestically, in the league, and try to get involved in the title race. It’s a good challenge to have, an exciting one, and as I say, if Rafa strengthens us and keeps moving us forward, we will have a good go at it really soon.” Individually, the 26-year-old is not one for standing still either. He admits he has had a “difficult season” following his exertions with England at the FIFA World Cup but remains hopeful of ending it on a high. “It took me a while getting over the tiredness from the World Cup but I can feel my form coming back slowly.” His two goals for England against Andorra this week suggest he may be right, and, with PSV standing in their way, Liverpool will now want to feel the benefits.
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RAFA PRAISES HAT-TRICK HERO CROUCH 三月 31, 2007
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RAFA PRAISES HAT-TRICK HERO CROUCH
Steve Hunter 31 March 2007
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Rafael Benitez was full of praise for Peter Crouch after he scored his first hat-trick for Liverpool in the 4-1 win over Arsenal.
The Liverpool manager felt it was a thoroughly deserved victory by his team and was delighted with the overall display.
“It was a really good team performance and we wanted to give our supporters something special today,” enthused Benitez.
“Crouch hadn’t played for 20 days because of his nose operation and he was desperate to play and score goals. All of his goals were fantastic and I really liked the move between Pennant and Arbeloa for his first goal.
“To score four goals against a top side is really good and we are fighting hard for that third place. I still think we have played better games this season but I am really pleased with the team today.
“Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano controlled the midfield and it has set us up nicely for the Champions League against PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday.”
The Liverpool manager revealed after the game that Steven Gerrard was substituted because he felt the captain was tired after the international break. Craig Bellamy and Steve Finnan were rested but will return to the squad along with Sami Hyypia for the trip to PSV.
GERRARD AIMING TO END SPECIAL WEEK ON A HIGH 三月 23, 2007
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GERRARD AIMING TO END SPECIAL WEEK ON A HIGH
March 2007
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Steven Gerrard is hoping to end his ‘special week’ on a high note by inspiring England to victory over Israel in Saturday’s Euro 2008 qualifier in Tel Aviv.
Fresh from receiving his MBE from the Queen and playing at Wembley for the first time on Wednesday, Gerrard took time out to reflect reflected on those events and look ahead to the big game at the weekend.
He said: “It was a special day and it’s been really exciting for me. I just hope we can get the right result at the weekend to complete a special week.
“It’s not every day you receive an MBE and play at Wembley, is it?
“I knew the date when I was going to be receiving my MBE because I had to reply to the letter – and then obviously this get-together fell in that time. So I had to speak to Steve McClaren and make sure it was all right to go and receive it.
“We had to be at the Palace at 10 o’clock in the morning, someone tells you what the proceedings are and then it all happens quite quickly. You get briefed on what you need to say and what you need to do.
“I was just a little bit nervous I would say the wrong thing. But it all went quite smoothly and, once I received the medal I felt more relaxed.
“I had a conversation with the Queen – it was mostly about football. She wished me all the best for the forthcoming internationals and just told me to keep doing what I’ve been doing.”
On his first impressions of the new Wembley, he added: “The stadium is magnificent. We were all excited going down there and the boys are looking forward now to playing there for real.
“We do play in big grounds across the world but this is Wembley and it’s special. All the players grew up watching special games there and think it will be great to be part of matches in the new stadium.”
Gerrard also revealed that his MBE award will take pride of place among the multitude of football honours he’s accumulated down the years.
“The actual medal is quality. I didn’t really know what we were going to get but it’s a special medal and one that I’ll treasure,” he said.
“I think I will put it with my football medals because this achievement has come through football and obviously I wouldn’t have achieved it without great help from my team-mates, coaching staff, friends and family who have been there through the highs and lows with me.”
Upon returning to the England camp after meeting the Queen, Gerrard, not surprisingly, found himself the centre of attention.
“There has been a bit of mickey-taking in the squad,” he explained. “And, when I got back to the hotel for a team meeting, the staff had a special welcome for me. They were all knighting me when I walked in!”
GERRARD AT THE PALACE 三月 22, 2007
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GERRARD AT THE PALACE
21 March 2007
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This is the picture of a proud Steven Gerrard today collecting his MBE from Buckingham Palace.
The Liverpool skipper travelled to London with his fiancée Alex Curran to pick up the award from The Queen.
“I’ve played in big games with special people but I’ve never experienced anything like this,” said the 26-year-old after the hour-long investiture.
“It’s completely different nerves to football. In football I know what I’m going to do but today is a big day and a proud day for me.”
Gerrard was recognised for services to football having led the Reds to Champions League and FA Cup glory in the space of 12 months.
“I think I’ve done well on the pitch and off,” he added. “I’ve got a lovely family and the football is going well, I’ve achieved a lot but I’m still only 26 and it’s early in my career. I’m hungry for more.
“Istanbul was just total amazement. To go three goals down, as the captain of the team I came out at half-time playing for respect and trying to keep the score down.
“For us to turn the game all the way around and become victorious was something we never thought possible.
“On the international front I’ve had the highs and the lows, but to be successful it’s just about being patient.”
TOMKINS: WHY GERRARD IS TOP TRUMPS 三月 7, 2007
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TOMKINS: WHY GERRARD IS TOP TRUMPS
06 March 2007
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When people talk about the best player in the world, they often mean the most skilful. But being a top footballer is about so much more than that.
It’s always hard to say anyone is ‘the best’ in a complex team sport like football. Especially when so many different disciplines are involved. For instance, how do you compare a defender with a striker?
You can measure the quality of a golfer by his handicap, because he doesn’t have to interact with, and rely on, other players. Even the best footballers are reliant on their teammates. And the aim is not simply personal glory, but the greater good of the collective.
Players in the English league rarely get their deserved recognition in terms of worldwide accolades. The extra work-rate and commitment required in England, and the sheer intensity of the matches, makes it harder for the players to excel all season long and then light up a World Cup or European Championship.
In particular, Thierry Henry and Steven Gerrard have deserved more recognition than has come their way. Some players can stroll through a season then have a couple of good weeks at a major championship and win all the plaudits. But guys like these two excel for 10 months of a gruelling season.
Gerrard, in particular, has come good on the big occasions for his club, scoring in almost every cup final in which he’s played, and instrumental in winning the most recent two. And these were two games in which he shifted between central midfield, just off the striker, right midfield, and right back.
Gerrard has done well for England, and had some great games, without ever quite reaching the heights expected. This is often used against him (the same was said of Kenny Dalglish and John Barnes). But for me that is more about team dynamics, and a lack of cohesion and balance with the national team, than any deficiencies to Gerrard’s game.
These days international football is not, on average, a step up from the multi-cultural Premiership. Most domestic clubs field teams of internationals, and a lot of these are from the elite countries like France, Germany, Spain, Brazil, Holland and Argentina. I don’t see how playing Macedonia is a leap in quality.
International football is different in style from the Premiership, but the Champions League is not. I sense that Gerrard will struggle to do what he did to AC Milan because England don’t put their trust in him in the way Liverpool always have. He’s not their ‘go to’ man. And yet you can’t tell me that there are many better international teams than the AC Milan side of 2005.
Stevie G will be 27 by the start of next season, and therefore entering what is traditionally seen as a player’s prime. It’s clear he’s not a kid anymore (how time flies). I, for one, am fascinated to see how he develops in the next couple of years. Providing he doesn’t lose his pace and power prematurely (and but for injuries there’s no reason why he should), there are new levels he can reach through experience; especially as he learns more from the manager about the tactical nuances of the game.
