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GERRARD: LET’S
NOT BLOW OUR ROME DREAM |
27 AUG 2008 |
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Source:
liverpoolfc.tv
Steven Gerrard has urged his teammates not to blow the chance
to play in a fairytale final in Rome next May.
Liverpool tonight bid to qualify for a Champions League which
reaches its finale in the stadium where Emlyn Hughes lifted
our first European Cup back in 1977.
After a goalless draw in Liege two weeks ago, Gerrard isn't
taking entry into the group stages for granted - but the
skipper hopes the prospect of a dream final in nine months'
time will inspire the Reds into the competition proper and
beyond.
"We want to go one further than last year and we're confident
we can do it," Gerrard told Liverpoolfc.tv.
"They were the better team on the night two weeks ago and you
have to give them credit. It was a massive wake-up call that
they can't be underestimated. They have some big, physical
boys who can also play a bit.
"We need to make sure we improve from Saturday and see that
we're on it – if not, we'll come unstuck.
"It's a massive game and we need to play very well. But we
know we're at home and we're at a better level than two weeks
ago, so we're very confident we'll win the game.
"The squad's even stronger this year and we know how good we
can be in Europe over two legs. To go to Rome and get to
another final would be an unbelievable achievement but that's
the target we've set for ourselves."
Defeat or a score draw tonight would see Liverpool fail to
qualify for the Champions League for the first time under Rafa
Benitez.
Despite his confidence, Gerrard knows the pressure is on.
"An away goal would throw a spanner in the works so we have to
defend properly," he added. "But we're capable of keeping
clean sheets and we know we have match winners in the team.
"There certainly is respect for the opposition. We can't
afford to start slowly and go a goal down – that would be a
disaster.
"There is a bit of pressure but we have to play our own game.
A first goal will help us settle but, you know, on paper we
should win this game.
"It's easy to say that, though; now we've got to go out there
and do it on the pitch."
Gerrard admits Liverpool have yet to leave "second gear" this
season, but with six Barclays Premier League points already on
the board, the 28-year-old is concentrating on the positives.
He explained: "It looked like we were going to lose points at
home but now it's very nice to see six points on the board
already. But we're not happy with how we're playing at the
minute – we need to raise it a bit.
"When we were losing 1-0 we'd have taken a point because
Middlesbrough were defending well and we weren't playing well
at all. If you look at our games last season, that's where we
came unstuck – drawing and losing at home.
"To win the league you need to win when you're playing badly
and that's what happened on Saturday.
"The pleasing thing at the moment is that we've won two out of
two and yet we're still in second gear. We know we can step it
up."
The remarkable comeback against Middlesbrough was secured
thanks to an injury-time hit from Gerrard five minutes after
Jamie Carragher equalised with a deflected strike which some
credited as an Emanuel Pogatetz own goal.
Ever a good friend, the club captain is adamant the leveller
should go down as Carra's fifth career goal.
He said: "You've got to give him it. If he hadn't had a shot
from there then we wouldn't have got the goal. He deserves the
credit and deserves the goal." |
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Copyright @ STEVEN-GERRARD.NET |
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