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GERRARD:
TORRES CAN FIRE US TO MOSCOW |
22 APR 2008 |
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Source:
liverpoolfc.tv
A defiant Steven Gerrard has backed Fernando Torres to break
Liverpool’s goalless record at Stamford Bridge to secure a
place in Moscow.
A last-gasp OG from John Arne Riise gave Chelsea a crucial
away goal as the first leg ended 1-1, meaning the Reds are
going to have to do something they have never done at the
Bridge under Rafa Benitez – score.
Asked by Liverpoolfc.tv about that record, Gerrard replied
bluntly: "We haven't played there with Fernando Torres, have
we?"
Torres, who was absent from both of Liverpool's trips to
Chelsea this season, missed a golden opportunity to open the
scores when he went one-on-one with Petr Cech in the first
half.
It was Dirk Kuyt who eventually fired home, though a
thoroughly deserved victory was denied by an enormous stroke
of bad luck for Riise with 30 seconds of injury time
remaining.
Gerrard admits it's his job to now pick up his teammates ahead
of the return leg next Wednesday.
He said: "Obviously we're disappointed with the late goal but
it's done. We've got to pick ourselves up. We've got to get a
result at the weekend then give it everything we can at
Stamford Bridge. We know this tie is not over.
"It's my job as captain to pick the boys up and make sure
we're ready for next week.
"Let people say Chelsea are favourites, let them. We've got to
block that out and do what we've got to do. We are confident
we can beat Chelsea on their patch.
"We've created the better chances against them here. I don't
think Pepe had anything to do besides pick the ball out late
doors. Petr Cech has had to pull off two or three great saves.
To be honest, we'd have been disappointed if this game had
ended 1-0 when it could have been 2-0."
Kuyt has now scored in every round of this season's Champions
League – a remarkable stat considering the stick dished out to
the Dutchman in some sections of the press earlier in the
season.
The skipper added: "I haven't heard him get any stick. We
don't listen to any of that (the media). Dirk has been
fantastic for us, he's worked his socks off for us again
tonight and deserved his goal. He is well respected in the
dressing room."
Gerrard also had comforting words for substitute Riise,
putting the last-minute equaliser down to misfortune.
He said: "These ties are decided on small details and Chelsea
have had a bit of luck here at the end, but maybe we'll get
that luck at Stamford Bridge. This team wins, loses and draws
together.
"It's the second leg of the European Cup semi-final – if you
can't motivate yourself for that you shouldn't be playing
football." |
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Copyright @ STEVEN-GERRARD.NET |
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