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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
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
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
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.

 STEVIE: LET’S HAVE A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

05 March 2007

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Steven Gerrard has challenged the Liverpool players and fans alike to make the Champions League clash against Barcelona one of the most memorable European nights Anfield has ever witnessed.

The skipper believes Barca will be dreading the prospect of playing in front of a rammed Kop on Tuesday night.

“Liverpool versus Barcelona in front of a packed Anfield – it doesn’t get much bigger than that. I’ve experienced many special nights here and I’m hoping there is another one just around the corner,” Gerrard told a press conference on Monday.

“Teams in the past have come here and not enjoyed playing in this stadium – when it’s full there is a lot of noise. The fans make it really difficult for the opposition.

“It gives us a real boost knowing they’re behind us trying to push a goal in for us. I’m sure they’ll be there well before kick-off making the atmosphere really intense for Barcelona. That’s what we want from them.”

Gerrard admits he is already getting butterflies in his stomach at the prospect of facing the holders on home turf.

He said: “I’m excited personally and I know all the boys are as well. Preparations have gone really well and the boys are just looking forward to kick-off now.

“Being round the city and seeing how many people have turned up today, it proves how big a game this is. These are the games we want to play in. The whole world will be watching – we can’t wait.

“You have all your butterflies, your nerves and your excitement, but now we just want to go out there and get the job done.”

Meanwhile, the Liverpool number eight believes the possibility of a trophyless season will help spur on his teammates.

“Ideally we’d love to be involved in the other cups and the title race, but that’s not to be. Now us players have got to give everything we’ve got to make sure we keep this season going.

“At Liverpool Football Club every season we try to put another trophy in the cabinet – this is the only one left. We have to make sure we give that extra 10 to 15 per cent to ensure we’re in the last eight.”

GERRARD KEEN TO HALT UNITED CHARGE
28 February 2007

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Steven Gerrard has spoken of his determination to halt Manchester United’s title charge at Anfield this weekend.

United will start the lunchtime game with a nine point lead at the top of the table and with the possibility of further extending that advantage if they can become the first team since Chelsea in October 2005 to win a Premiership game at Anfield.

Jose Mourinho’s side would have a chance to reduce the gap when they take on Portsmouth a few hours later, but Gerrard believes a United triumph at Anfield could be the decisive result in this season’s league race.

“They’ll be coming to Anfield this weekend looking for maximum points because that would virtually win them the league,” said the Reds’ skipper. “We’ve got to make sure we get the points and keep the title race going for as long as possible. It’s not over at the moment and that’s why this is a massive game for both clubs.

“It hurts to say this but they have been playing some really good attacking football this season. They’re also really hard to beat because they have some great defenders.

“The rivalry for this fixture has got bigger and bigger over the years and the games are built up more and more in the media. As a player these are the games you want to play in.

“I’m in the city among all the banter and I know our fans are desperate to take the three points this weekend. If we can give a big performance and get the right result then it will give us all a big confidence booster for the Barcelona game.

“It’s just a pity there’s not as much riding on this game in terms of a Liverpool title challenge as we’d have hoped. We have to look at the silly points we dropped earlier in the season as a reason for that. That’s why the gap is quite big. All we can do is keep going.”

He added: “We’ve got a massive week coming up with United and Barcelona both coming to Anfield but we need to take them one at a time. We’ll never get a result against a side like United unless we’re one hundred per cent focused on it. It’s an exciting week for us to prepare for but the important thing is getting the right results.”

I never think liverpool will win before the this game……

I just think draw is enough…..

But……..Liverpool did it last night!!!!! Liverpool away won Barca ＞３＜

soooooooooooooooooooooo HAPPY !!!!!!!!

Keep it up and up!!!!!

Soon face to ManU, Arsenal and Barca again!!!!!!

Anflied Home~show our power again!!!!!

WAHKAKA!!!

YNWA!!! 

BARCA CHIEF LOVES ENGLAND STARS
19 February 2007 

Barcelona president Joan Laporta fears Steven Gerrard and Peter Crouch could leave his dream of retaining the Champions League in tatters.

He has pinpointed the England duo as Liverpool’s danger men ahead of the second round double header.

“I love Steven Gerrard. He is an emblem of Liverpool. I was watching TV last weekend and saw a replay of the Champions League final between Liverpool and AC Milan,” said Laporta.

“It was so emotional to watch Gerrard in that game. Xabi Alonso and the goalkeeper were important but Gerrard was the heart of the team.

“When he went to celebrate with the supporters after the match and to speak to them, I felt very emotional.

“Our captain, Carles Puyol, represents Barcelona in a similar way to Gerrard. He is always thinking of the team and giving to the team rather than his teammates. He is generous to his teammates and he is a fighter.

“The other player who is difficult for us to play against is Peter Crouch. He came to Barcelona on a visit and asked to see us play. Someone at the club thought he was a basketball player, but I told them ‘No, he is a Liverpool player’.

“It is good for us that our defender, Rafael Marquez, is good with his head but we know Crouch is also a good finisher with his feet.”

The Barca chief also confesses he cannot wait to experience the unique Anfield atmosphere in the second leg.

“This match will be tough for us and I am looking forward to the second leg because I hear Anfield is exciting for big matches.

“I’ve never been to Liverpool before. For someone of my age who loves The Beatles, it will make it even more special. I want to go to the Cavern Club where they started.”

The Reds skipper almost quit Anfield in 2005, before penning a new long-term deal and Gerrard insists that he is not thinking of leaving his hometown club.

“No one knows what the future holds, but if the club continue to show me their love and I’m happy, I don’t see any reason to go anywhere else,” Gerrard said.

“I’m really happy at the moment and if that continues, I’ll stay for ever. Obviously I’ve come close [to leaving] a couple of times, but at the moment these thoughts never cross my mind.”

Gerrard also confirmed that there is no clause in his contract that would allow him to leave should a big bid come in for him.

“When I signed a new deal [in July 2005] there was a lot of talk that there was a clause in the new contract saying that for a certain amount of money I might be able to leave in a couple of years’ time,” he told The Times.

“It’s important to let the fans know that there’s no clause in the contract and that, as long as the club want me, and they show me they’re keen to keep me, I don’t see any reason to move anywhere else.”