CARRA, STEVIE AND RAFA AT HAPPY ANFIELD
All is well in the Liverpool camp.
Rafa Benitez was first out the blocks, explaining why he stopped the habit of a lifetime and kept the same 11 for the last two games:
"The players were physically strong enough to play and had the motivation for the Champions League.
"So, I thought if we are playing well, we have the confidence and we have time, then we can use the same team."
Meanwhile Stevie Gerrard was visibly delighted at getting on the scoresheet.
"I know I needed to look at my own performances and I know I need to play better. "I needed to find my own form first, but as captain I have to help other players find their best form.
"The only way this can happen is to take responsibility for yourself and your performances. In terms of our league position, you have to realise you are not doing your job properly if Liverpool are in the position we are in."
Gerrard admits he has been upset by the rumours buzzing around Merseyside about his attitude towards the club and boss Rafael Benitez as well his own personal life.
He said: "I've heard it all, my body language isn't right, there's a problem and I am not happy at the club, I've got problems off the field, my head's not in it. I've heard them all and I'll say now that it is just not the case.
"I'm a professional footballer and the only thing on my mind when I'm playing is the game.
"Walking away from Old Trafford for instance, having lost 2-0 to Manchester United and having let the supporters and ourselves down while watching United celebrate hurt me.
"I'm the Liverpool captain, and a Liverpool fan. It's not a time for me to be smiling or chatting to United players because I'm hurting like hell." He added: "No-one is satisfied with the start we have made to the season in the Premiership. It's not a position we are happy with.
"We have been satisfied with the Champions League form, and it was a weight off my mind to get that goal. I'd had a few chances before and you could see I was getting too anxious. But I had a feeling it was going to come right against Bordeaux.
"My form has been a lot better in training and I knew it was only a matter of time before I took it onto the pitch. The most important thing for me is the team, and I know if I am playing to my best I can have a big influence on our form.
"I've been missing something since the start of the season and I have not had that spark to my game. I think coming back from the World Cup has been a factor."
Benitez however was quick to praise Steven's performances: "We needed to score the second to finish the game against Bordeaux and Steven needed to score to stop all the talk about his goal-scoring form.
"He has been playing well, but now it will be easier for him to be focused on matches and not just whether he can score or not.
"This is almost perfect, yes, it is how I would have wanted the European campaign to go, to be qualified as early as this.
"But we have won three group games now, and drawn in Eindhoven. It shows we understand how to play in Europe. Now we can monitor players and give some youngsters experience in Europe."
Gerrard added: "There had to be a reaction from us after the defeat at Old Trafford. And in the last few games you have seen that.
"What gets me down is losing games and hearing so much rubbish about me. I could go on about what was said last weekend and we are all a bit sick reading the same things.
"I'm sick of it, the players are sick of it and so is the manager and the fans. I feel really sorry for the fans who have to see the focus put on me again, but what can I do about it?
"I feel from the reaction of the fans at the Bordeaux game that they are not taking any notice of that stuff any more and that is exactly how I want it to be."
Next up was Jamie Carragher keen to congratulate his team-mate:
"Stevie is up and running now, and it was a great relief for him to get that goal," said the Liverpool defender.
"He scored 23 last season, which is tremendous for a midfielder - and it will be difficult to better that.
"You cannot expect him to repeat it every year, but I am sure he will get into double figures.
"Stevie was a bit unfortunate before his goal. He had quite a few opportunities but did not hit the target.
"I know him well and how he would have felt if he had not scored."
"Obviously we are delighted get through to the next stage. The aim now is to finish top of the group.
"We have a decent defensive record in the Champions League, and I hope we can keep that going.
"Some great teams may finish second in their group, but the main thing is we are through.
"Now we have to take advantage of playing PSV at home. It will be very difficult, because they have great experience in the Champions League and are doing very well in the Dutch League."
For the first time in 100 games, Benitez named an unchanged side for the Bordeaux match.
"It was a bit strange he decided to quit on 99. You have a bit of laugh about it. Didn't Mike Atherton go out on 99 a couple of times?"
But Carragher was quick to praise Benitez.
"He is the manager; he picks the team, and the success he has had speaks for itself.
"We knew the team an hour before kick-off. Of course, you are wondering whether you are going to play.
"But the manager has his way and is doing an excellent job."
Reading ran Liverpool close in the Carling Cup, and Carragher added: "We have been really disappointing in the Premier League and not done as well as we have in the Champions League.
"We are not as high in the table as we would have liked.
"Reading gave us a bit of a stir in the cup, and we are well aware of what they can do. It is going to be a very tough game - but it is time to us to push on."
Discuss this news story in the LFC Forum
|
