Steven Gerrard

STEVIE: LET’S HAVE A NIGHT TO REMEMBER 三月 6, 2007

 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 三月 1, 2007

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.”

BARCA CHIEF LOVES ENGLAND STARS 二月 19, 2007

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.”

LOVE IS EVERYTHING 二月 18, 2007

Steven Gerrard says he will never leave Liverpool as long as they continue to show him ‘love’.

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.”