Monday, August 25, 2008

Gerrard Close To Full Fitness

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has recognised that he is not yet at full fitness, but considers himself to be a mere three weeks away from his best.

The energetic midfielder is the hero’s name being sung in the Kop yet again, after he snatched a dramatic late winner against Middlesbrough at Anfield yesterday.

Liverpool looked unlikely winners against a very well organised Boro side, after Egyptian striker Mido put the visitors ahead on 70 minutes. This goal was cancelled out by Jamie Carragher, whose shot cannoned off Boro defender Emmanuel Pogatetz, to send the home fans into raptures.

The home side weren’t finished there however, as deep into injury time, the ball fell to Gerrard’s famous right foot on the edge of the box, and as so many times before, the heartbeat of the Liverpool side snatched all three points for his team.

Speaking to Football365, Gerrard said, “You could tell how much our winner meant to the fans, the roof came off when my goal went in.

“Everyone knows that these are the games we have to win if we are going to mount a serious title challenge. Too many home points were squandered last season.”

Liverpool’s home form was heavily criticised last season, as The Reds dropped a massive 15 points at Anfield, ending hopes of a serious title challenge, a point backed up by Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez.

“Maybe our fans were thinking of what happened last season, when we drew too many games at home.

“But this time we have sent out a message that we can produce results like this.

“Last season we had some bad home results. But this time around we have tried very hard to be positive and to make sure such things do not happen again. This win shows we can do it.”

Despite showing he has what it takes to last the full 90 and more, Gerrard is still admitting that he is not yet at full fitness, but has said that it can be achieved sooner rather than later.

“I've had problems with my groin throughout pre-season, and things have not gone the way I wanted them to,” he said.

“I have missed a lot of training and I am a couple of weeks behind the other lads when it comes to match fitness.

“The only way I am going to get that edge again is to get out on the pitch and play.

“I am not at my best at the moment, but I hope the fans will be patient because I am only three weeks away from my best form and fitness.”

The Reds now sit at the top of the Premier League table for the moment, and they will continue their quest for a first Premier League trophy against Aston Villa next Sunday.

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