Sunday, April 11, 2010

John Aldridge: European Super Cup Spot Is Real Motivation For Liverpool

I know it’s only the consolation cup but we’re in the semis now and the Europa League is getting tasty.

We’ve not had much to crow about when it comes to the rivalry between Man United and ourselves this season but we’ve stayed in Europe longer than them.

Of course first and foremost we want fourth place but if we could get to a final and win a trophy it would be a real bonus.

One big attraction of winning the Europa League is playing for the European Super Cup. It’s very prestigious and would provide a great start to next season. Liverpool v Barcelona – how juicy would that be?

Our build up to this season was awful. We had so many players coming back late and we weren’t ready.

But to be involved in the Super Cup in August would be something to relish.

The likes of Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher deserve another winner’s medal for everything they’ve given for the club. And for other players like Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt and Javier Mascherano they haven’t won anything at Liverpool so the Europa League would still mean a lot.

The semi against Atletico Madrid will be special for Torres and it won’t be easy. They might only be mid-table in La Liga but they are no mugs and have some quality players.

Benfica are a good team who stuck five past Everton so to defeat them like we did was very pleasing.

Lucas took his goal well and he needs to get into those type of positions more often. If he does then people will appreciate him more.

Kuyt was superb, while Carragher marshalled things really well at the back.

Up top Torres’ finishing was terrific. He provided the finish to a great move for his first and his second was a lovely dink over the keeper. It reminded me of the goal I scored against Notts Forest in our 5-0 win back in 1988.

Enough has been said already about the decision to take Torres off at Birmingham.

I struggled to come to terms with it and the fact is towards the end of games defenders tire and strikers get more chances.

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