Steven Gerrard today promised Liverpool will atone for their Champions League debacle by making sure they qualify for next year’s tournament.
A makeshift Reds’ side created an unwanted piece of club history last night when a 2-1 defeat against Fiorentina meant it was the first time they had sustained back-to-back European defeats at Anfield.
It was a gloomy end to a miserable European campaign and one that means they will not be seeded when the draw for the Europa League’s round of 32 takes place in Nyon a week tomorrow.
Skipper Gerrard admitted Liverpool haven’t been good enough but he is confident a squad which now has star striker Fernando Torres fit again and Alberto Aquilani up and running can salvage the situation – starting against Arsenal on Sunday.
“Financially it is very important for the club and having experienced the Champions League for such a long time, I’m desperate to play in it,” said Gerrard.
“We had gone six games unbeaten and it was a shame that we lost this one at the end because we wanted to use it as preparation for Sunday.
“But we will be right up for Arsenal; if we can get three points there and take it into the Wigan game, I’m sure we can turn that corner.
“If we get our full strength team back and get important people fit, I feel as if we are good enough to get into the top four.
“It’s massive to have Fernando back; he’s our top scorer, he’s our main man and if he stays fit, I’m sure we will move up the league and get in the top four.”
Aquilani’s belated first start in a Red shirt was one of the high points for Rafa Benitez and Gerrard, who linked encouragingly with him in the engine room.
The Italian was given a standing ovation when he was substituted late in the second half and Gerrard was suitably impressed with his efforts.
“It was all about giving minutes to squad players and getting some injuries back and it was nice for Alberto to finally get out there,” he said.
“He can dictate the tempo of a game, he is a clever player, a good passer of the ball; I don’t want to tempt fate but he’s very similar to Xabi (Alonso).”
Whether Aquilani starts again against Arsenal remains to be seen but Gerrard has assured supporters that the squad has the depth and quality to manage battling for a top four spot, as well negotiating the long road to Hamburg – the setting for the Europa League final.
“We’ll take it very seriously and we have got to try and win a trophy,” he said. “The FA Cup and the Europa League give us the best chances of that.
“Hopefully we’ll have a top four finish as well. It’s very important we achieve that. But for the time being, it’s the Europa League and we aren’t seeded because we lost this game.
“I’m sure we’ll come up against a big side and it would be very nice if we came up against Everton at some point but we will see what happens.”
A makeshift Reds’ side created an unwanted piece of club history last night when a 2-1 defeat against Fiorentina meant it was the first time they had sustained back-to-back European defeats at Anfield.
It was a gloomy end to a miserable European campaign and one that means they will not be seeded when the draw for the Europa League’s round of 32 takes place in Nyon a week tomorrow.
Skipper Gerrard admitted Liverpool haven’t been good enough but he is confident a squad which now has star striker Fernando Torres fit again and Alberto Aquilani up and running can salvage the situation – starting against Arsenal on Sunday.
“Financially it is very important for the club and having experienced the Champions League for such a long time, I’m desperate to play in it,” said Gerrard.
“We had gone six games unbeaten and it was a shame that we lost this one at the end because we wanted to use it as preparation for Sunday.
“But we will be right up for Arsenal; if we can get three points there and take it into the Wigan game, I’m sure we can turn that corner.
“If we get our full strength team back and get important people fit, I feel as if we are good enough to get into the top four.
“It’s massive to have Fernando back; he’s our top scorer, he’s our main man and if he stays fit, I’m sure we will move up the league and get in the top four.”
Aquilani’s belated first start in a Red shirt was one of the high points for Rafa Benitez and Gerrard, who linked encouragingly with him in the engine room.
The Italian was given a standing ovation when he was substituted late in the second half and Gerrard was suitably impressed with his efforts.
“It was all about giving minutes to squad players and getting some injuries back and it was nice for Alberto to finally get out there,” he said.
“He can dictate the tempo of a game, he is a clever player, a good passer of the ball; I don’t want to tempt fate but he’s very similar to Xabi (Alonso).”
Whether Aquilani starts again against Arsenal remains to be seen but Gerrard has assured supporters that the squad has the depth and quality to manage battling for a top four spot, as well negotiating the long road to Hamburg – the setting for the Europa League final.
“We’ll take it very seriously and we have got to try and win a trophy,” he said. “The FA Cup and the Europa League give us the best chances of that.
“Hopefully we’ll have a top four finish as well. It’s very important we achieve that. But for the time being, it’s the Europa League and we aren’t seeded because we lost this game.
“I’m sure we’ll come up against a big side and it would be very nice if we came up against Everton at some point but we will see what happens.”
No comments:
Post a Comment