Whether or not Liverpool succeed in their battle to snatch second spot in the Premiership this weekend Steven Gerrard believes the 2005/06 league campaign can be spoken about in glowing terms at Anfield.The Reds wind up their programme with a long trek to Portsmouth on Sunday in the knowledge that victory, coupled with Manchester United failing to beat Charlton, will see them pip the Red Devils to runners-up spot. But win, lose or draw against Pompey, Gerrard insists Liverpool can look back with pride on their much-improved league form this season. With 79 points in the bag already – the same number that was enough to win the title back in 1989/90 - the FA Cup finalists are just one point away from equalling the club's highest-ever Premiership total. "I think we can safely say now, before our game against Portsmouth, that our league campaign this season has been one of vast improvement," says Gerrard in an exclusive interview with Liverpoolfc.tv. "Our points total is really good. We've more than halved the gap between ourselves and Chelsea, and if we keep moving forward like we have been then we'll be involved in the title race next season, definitely." Gerrard admits the following week's FA Cup Final against West Ham will probably loom large in the minds of the Liverpool players when they take to the field at Fratton Park this weekend. But he's assured the club's fans that the men in Red will be giving nothing less than 100 per cent as they aim to end the league season on a high. "I suppose in a way it is a little bit hard to be fully focussed on the Portsmouth game knowing we'll be playing in the FA Cup Final the following week but while there's still a chance of nicking second place we've got to be 100 per cent focused. We've only got one intention and that is to win the game," adds Gerrard. "It still can happen (finishing second). With Rooney out injured I don't think Manchester United are as strong and Charlton are always a difficult side to play against. We've just got to concentrate on our job though and that is to beat Portsmouth. "We've got a strong squad now. The manager can rest players and we'll still be capable of getting the right result against Portsmouth. "When there is an FA Cup Final a week away it's always going to be in the back of your mind to make sure that you'll be fit and ready for it. But we get paid to do a job in every game we play so there's no way we could disrespect Portsmouth by going into the game with our minds on the FA Cup Final. "We've got to try our best to get it out of our system for that afternoon, but, of course, it's going to be difficult. That's only natural.
0 ความคิดเห็น:
Post a Comment