Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Gerrard: Off-field Drama Affecting Us


Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard made it abundantly clear after Monday's game against Aston Villa that the uncertainty at the club is affecting players.

Liverpool were held to their sixth draw in eleven home games in a game they could well have lost as Aston Villa came from behind to surge ahead 2-1.

In the end, it took a late goal from Peter Crouch to save face at Anfield, and skipper Steven Gerrard vented his frustration at the off field antics following the final whistle.

Asked if the uncertainty surrounding the future of Rafa Benitez, and indeed the club's owners, was affecting the team, he said: "Of course it is affecting us."

“It’s not just this week, it’s been going on for some time now,” he rapped.

“It’s certainly not helping the players, I’ve got to be careful about what I say on the situation.

"We know what the situation is, what is going on. Yes we try to get onto the pitch and play, and not let is affect us, but it is at the back of our minds."

“But it’s certainly not helping the team.

“We know what’s going on; as players you try to do your job on the pitch and put it to the back of your mind but sometimes it’s impossible when it’s every day.”

Most certainly words that will grab the headlines of Tuesday's newspapers!

Speaking of the game itself, he said: “Credit to Villa. They deserve their point today.

“We should have won but we should be winning every game at Anfield, particularly with the players and the squad we’ve got, we should be winning all our home games.

“It’s certainly not good enough. We’ll keep going, it’s not over until it’s over, but it’s certainly not good enough.”

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